MIAMI — Inter Miami CF and the New York Red Bulls played out a pulsating 2-2 draw Saturday night at the sparkling new Nu Stadium, with Lionel Messi heavily involved but unable to secure the hosts' first victory in their state-of-the-art venue.

Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi

The back-and-forth contest, played before a capacity crowd on April 11, 2026, featured end-to-end action, clinical finishing and a dramatic late equalizer from 17-year-old Red Bulls forward Adri Mehmeti, who scored his first MLS goal in the 77th minute to snatch a point on the road.

Inter Miami took the lead twice but could not hold on, extending their unbeaten run in MLS to six matches while remaining without a win at Nu Stadium after two home games. The Red Bulls, who came from behind, improved to 3-2-2 and showed the resilience that has defined their early 2026 campaign.

Early Red Bulls Shock

The visitors struck first in the 15th minute when Jorge Ruvalcaba finished a swift counterattack assisted by Julian Hall. The goal silenced the home crowd momentarily and set the tone for an open, entertaining affair that lived up to the "back and forth" billing in the official highlights.

Inter Miami responded strongly, dominating possession and creating several dangerous chances. Goalkeeper Ethan Horvath was called into action multiple times, making key saves to keep the Red Bulls ahead at the break.

Silvetti Levels Before Half

As stoppage time approached in the first half, Inter Miami found the equalizer. Mateo Silvetti, assisted by Rodrigo De Paul, slotted home in the 45+1st minute to make it 1-1. The goal injected fresh energy into the home side and sent the Nu Stadium faithful into celebration just before the interval.

Berterame's Milestone Goal

The second half belonged initially to the hosts. In the 55th minute, Lionel Messi produced a moment of magic, threading a precise pass that allowed new signing Germán Berterame — the $15 million striker still seeking his first goal for the club — to finish clinically and give Inter Miami a 2-1 lead. It was Berterame's long-awaited breakthrough and Messi's latest demonstration of vision and creativity at age 38.

Messi was named player of the match with a near-perfect rating, involved in almost every attacking sequence and dictating the tempo throughout the 90 minutes. He nearly added to the drama in stoppage time with a free kick that Horvath tipped over the bar.

Mehmeti's Heroic Equalizer

Just when Inter Miami appeared poised for their first Nu Stadium win, the Red Bulls struck back. In the 77th minute, young Adri Mehmeti — a teenage prospect thrust into the lineup — latched onto another Julian Hall delivery and fired home his maiden MLS goal to restore parity at 2-2.

The equalizer triggered wild celebrations from the New York bench and traveling supporters. Red Bulls coach Sandro Schwarz praised the youngster's composure under pressure, noting that Mehmeti's goal reflected the team's fighting spirit despite being under the cosh for long periods.

Tactical Battle and Key Performances

Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano fielded a strong attacking lineup featuring Messi, Luis Suárez (who entered as a late substitute) and supporting cast including Silvetti and Berterame. The team controlled large portions of the match but showed vulnerability on transitions — an area the Red Bulls exploited effectively.

The Red Bulls relied on a compact defensive shape and rapid counters, with Julian Hall proving a constant nuisance on the wing. Goalkeeper Horvath's heroics kept them in the contest during Miami's dominant spells.

Nu Stadium, which opened recently, provided a vibrant backdrop with its modern facilities and passionate atmosphere. However, some fans noted pockets of empty seats in the upper tiers, possibly due to high ticket prices or the early timing in the venue's inaugural season. Despite that, the electric energy during goals created memorable moments for those in attendance.

Post-Match Reactions

Messi, typically reserved in interviews, acknowledged the team's frustration at dropping two points but highlighted the positive response after conceding early. "We created enough chances to win, but football is like this," he said through a translator. "We keep working to get the first victory here at home."

Red Bulls captain and veteran leaders expressed satisfaction with the road point against the defending MLS Cup champions. "Coming to a place like Nu Stadium and getting a result shows the character of this group," one player noted.

Inter Miami now sits in the upper half of the Eastern Conference standings with 12 points from eight matches (3 wins, 1 loss, 3 draws). The Red Bulls hold 11 points and remain competitive in the tight early-season table.

Broader Context in MLS 2026

The draw fits into a pattern of competitive matches for Inter Miami this season. After a dominant 2025 campaign that ended with the MLS Cup, expectations remain sky-high in South Florida. The new stadium represents a major upgrade and long-term investment for the club, but converting home dominance into wins has proven elusive so far.

For the Red Bulls, the result continues their tradition of gritty performances against star-studded opponents. Their ability to score late and earn points on the road could prove vital as the season progresses toward the summer transfer window and Leagues Cup.

Full match highlights released by MLS on YouTube quickly went viral, racking up hundreds of thousands of views within hours. Clips of Messi's assist for Berterame and Mehmeti's equalizer dominated social media, with fans praising the "back and forth" nature of the contest at Nu Stadium.

As Inter Miami prepares for its next fixture, the focus will shift to tightening defensive transitions while maintaining their attacking flair. For the Red Bulls, confidence from snatching points against one of the league's marquee teams could fuel a strong run in the coming weeks.

The 2-2 thriller served as a perfect advertisement for MLS — high skill, drama and unpredictability under the lights of a brand-new stadium. While Inter Miami fans left slightly disappointed without the win, the spectacle and Messi's brilliance ensured another memorable night in South Florida.