Lionel Messi Makes Comeback as Inter Miami Plays to 2-2 Tie with Columbus Crew in MLS Matchup

Lionel Messi made his return to Major League Soccer on Saturday, coming on as a substitute in the 53rd minute as Inter Miami drew 2-2 with Columbus Crew, two weeks after Argentina's World Cup final loss to Spain.

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Messi's highly anticipated return to the pitch at Miami's Nu Stadium was met with excitement from the fans, but he was unable to mark the occasion with a goal, sending two shots wide of the target.

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Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez had given Miami a 1-0 lead in the 16th minute with his seventh goal in four games, but the advantage was short-lived as Casemiro, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder, scored an own goal in the 34th minute to level the score at 1-1.

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Suarez then provided the assist for Noah Allen to head Miami into a 2-1 lead at half-time, but Columbus midfielder Brais Mendez, making his debut after joining from Real Sociedad, curled in a second equalizer from a free-kick in the 84th minute.

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The draw brought an end to Miami's six-match winning streak and kept them in second place in the Eastern Conference, behind leaders Nashville, who also drew 2-2 at DC United.

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In the Western Conference, Los Angeles FC and Vancouver Whitecaps remain level at the top after playing out a 1-1 draw at Vancouver's BC Place, with Son Heung-min extending his scoring streak to four goals in four matches since the MLS resumed after the World Cup.

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Son, who had been criticized for South Korea's failure to reach the knockout rounds of the World Cup, put Los Angeles ahead in the 37th minute, but Vancouver's German star Thomas Mueller equalized from the penalty spot in the 76th minute.

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Son, the former Tottenham star, had also earned MVP honors in the MLS All-Star Game on Wednesday, continuing his impressive form since the World Cup.