Messi returns for Inter Miami after World Cup

Lionel Messi returned to action on Saturday following Argentina’s World Cup final defeat by Spain, coming on as a substitute for Inter Miami in a 2-2 draw with Columbus Crew as team-mate Casemiro scored an own goal.

Messi had not played competitively since captaining his country in their 1-0 loss on 19 July. The 39-year-old scored eight goals and registered four assists during the tournament.

The forward was given a huge ovation by the Inter Miami home fans when he came on in the 53rd minute of the Major League Soccer match, although he missed two chances to score.

Miami had taken the lead through Luis Suarez‘s audacious long range chipped strike for his seventh goal in four games.

Brazil midfielder Casemiro, who joined Miami in July after leaving Manchester United, inadvertently equalised for Columbus when he put the ball into his own net when trying to make a clearance.

But Noah Allen headed the home side back in front before Brais Mendez curled in an 84th minute free-kick on his debut to earn Columbus Crew a draw.