Inter Miami and Lionel Messi give Mascherano first victory

Lionel Messi got on the scoreboard on Saturday when the Inter Miami opened their preseason campaign with a shootout victory over Mexico’s Club América in Las Vegas.

Argentine superstar Messi headed in Luis Suarez’s cross from close range after 34 minutes to equalize for the Major League Soccer team after they had taken the lead through Henry Martin moments earlier.

Miami’s new coach, Javier Mascheranotook Messi off the field in 66 minutes in a series of second-half substitutions.

Inter Miami looked set for victory, but Tomas Avilés headed home a draw two minutes into stoppage time.

That sent the friendly to a penalty shootout, in which Miami won 3-2 in sudden death.