Lionel Messi salvaged a late equalizer in stoppage time as Inter Miami secured a 1-1 draw against the Los Angeles Galaxy in a Major League Soccer clash on Sunday.

The equalizer came as Jordi Alba combined with Messi down the left flank, with Alba providing a precise pass to Messi, who stretched to strike the ball with the outside of his left foot, finding the net.

Despite periods of dominance from the Galaxy, it was Dejan Joveljic who broke the deadlock in the 75th minute. However, the home team was reduced to ten men after midfielder Mark Delgado received his second yellow card in the 87th minute.

Although Messi had been largely ineffective throughout the game, struggling to find space and service, his late heroics secured a crucial point for Miami. The team, featuring seven starters aged over 30, found it challenging to match the Galaxy's tempo.

Miami fielded all four of their former Barcelona stars, including Alba, Sergio Busquets, Luis Suarez, and Messi. However, it was the Galaxy's Riqui Puig who stood out, dictating play with his confident ball control and incisive passing.

The result leaves Miami with four points after their earlier victory against Real Salt Lake. In another MLS fixture, Toronto FC, under the guidance of new head coach John Herdman, started positively with a hard-fought 0-0 draw against FC Cincinnati.

Despite Miami's efforts to push forward in the second half, they struggled to create significant opportunities, with Galaxy goalkeeper John McCarthy making crucial saves.

Herdman's revamped Toronto side showed promise, with Irish defender Kevin Long impressing in defence and Honduran Deiby Flores providing a solid presence in midfield.

Meanwhile, the New York Red Bulls, led by new German coach Sandro Schwarz, were held to a goalless draw by Nashville, with both teams hitting the woodwork in search of a winning start to the season.