Inter Miami 2-2 New York City FC: Segovia snatches last-gasp draw

Telasco Segovia snatched a last-gasp 2-2 draw for 10-man Inter Miami against New York City FC in their MLS season opener at Chase Park.

Miami were staring down the barrel of an opening-day defeat despite dominating much of the match before finally getting a 100th-minute equaliser.

The hosts had started well, with Tomas Aviles tapping in Lionel Messi’s cross just five minutes in after the Argentine had caught out NYCFC with a clever corner routine.

However, in the 23rd minute, Aviles received his marching orders. He brought down Alonso Martinez on the edge of the 18-yard box, denying him a goalscoring opportunity, resulting in a straight red card.

It then took just three more minutes for NYCFC to level, Mitja Ilenic latching onto a short free-kick to drive in a low equaliser.

Jordi Alba’s slack pass deep in his own half gifted NYCFC the lead early in the second half, with Martinez latching onto the loose ball before slotting it past Oscar Ustari at the far post.

Both sides squandered chances in the latter stages, but Javier Mascherano’s substitutions paid dividends deep into second-half stoppage time, as Messi played a throughball into Segovia, who chipped the goalkeeper with a superb finish.

Full-time. Vamos Miami pic.twitter.com/IQ8BhSQomD

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) February 23, 2025

Data Debrief: Patience pays off

Mascherano was unable to get his MLS career off the ground with a win, but Miami are at least on the board for the season.

Despite playing for over an hour with 10 men (including over 20 minutes of stoppage time across both halves), Miami had more, and better, chances.

They accumulated 2.55 expected goals (xG) from their 14 attempts, compared to NYCFC’s 0.96 from nine shots, though the visitors were more clinical.

Miami have won only one of their 12 all-time meetings with NYCFC (D4 L7); each of their last four meetings have now ended in stalemates.