Messi and Suarez score as Inter Miami draw 2-2 with Austin in the first match at the new home stadium

Lionel Messi scored on the long-awaited opening night in his new home stadium. And Luis Suarez found a way to put things in order late in the second half.

It was good enough to salvage a point for Inter Miami.

Messi scored with a header in the 10th minute, Suarez smashed home a volley in the 82nd minute and Inter Miami escaped with a 2-2 draw against Austin FC in the defending Major League Soccer (MLS) champions’ first match at the still-under-construction stadium near Miami International Airport on Saturday evening.

Inter Miami (3-1-2) is now undefeated in its last five MLS matches, while Austin (1-2-3) has not won any of its last four matches.

MLS commissioner Don Garber was at the match and praised the work that David Beckham – who chose Miami 13 years ago – has done to this day. Inter Miami is in its seventh MLS season, its third with Messi, but has so far played home games in Fort Lauderdale.

Garber called the stadium’s opening the latest sign of growth for MLS.

“I think our best days are still ahead,” Garber said. «David shined a light on our league, and Leo takes that torch and he passes it around. And we get calls from players all over the world.»

Messi and Suarez both got equalizers, and Inter Miami missed several chances for a potential winner in the closing minutes. Perhaps the best of them all: Mateo Silvetti’s chance in the 87th minute, when he accepted a cross from the right flank and tried to score the ball one-time, but it crossed high.

“We already know what Leo is capable of and what problems he causes for the opposition, even without the ball,” said Inter Miami defender Maxi Falcon. Apple TV after the match. «And Luis too: when he’s in the box, he’s deadly, and he’s proven that again.»

Suarez thought he would score in the 90th minute after Messi’s free kick, but the action was ruled out for offside. And Messi had a chance from the penalty area about three minutes later, but Brad Stuver went low for a saving dive to the left to keep the match at 2-2.

Published on April 5, 2026