Inter Miami vs Charlotte FC LIVE SCORE: MIA 0-0 CLT, Messi pairs up with Suarez, updates

Suarez looks to have been pulled back in the midfield and as Miami takes the quick free kick, Gomez runs into the box to try a shot but Privett tracks back to deny the chance and Gomez goes down, again, appealing for a penalty.

The referee, again, is not interested.

Charlotte tries to attack along the flanks after carrying the ball into the midfield through the centre. But its cross from the left by Byrne is blocked by Miami.

Gomez makes another run along the left flank, carrying the ball into the box, despite being challenged by Charlotte’s full-back Byrne but his cross, with Messi waiting, fails to find the target-man, the Argentine.

Bronico makes a forward run from the visiting side. He receives the ball in front of the box, turns and shifts to beat the defenders and then shoots. However, his shot is off-target and another chance goes begging for Charlotte FC,

Quick attack and a narrow miss! Miami goes for another attack, with Alba pulling the strings this time around. He gets the ball along the left flank, runs into the box and tries to beat Kahlina on the far post. But the ball dips late and goes out for a goal-kick.

Action on the other end now! Charlotte attacks on the counter and, with Miami’s goalkeeper high up the box, Swiderski tries a shot which dips and falls on top of the net. Miami could have been punished here.

Gomez wins the ball in the midfield after a defensive error by Charlotte and carries the ball into the final third, trying to set up Suarez, who had run into the box. But his cross is overshot as Charlotte clears it.

Messi latches onto the through ball in front of the box and tries a low left-footed shot on target, forcing a save by Kahlina. The Argentine had tried to get a curl but failed to do so while Charlotte will now feel the pressure of Messi, at times, playing as a False 9 in this game.

Messi gets a long ball after he makes a run behind Charlotte’s defence into the box. But he is eventually surrounded by three defenders and as he tries setting up Gomez, who goes to ground appealing for a penalty. The referee is not interested. 

Martino’s Miami is maintaining a four-man defence, which is shifting to a five-man structure when out of possession. Meanwhile, Abada gets a cross from the right in the Miami box but squanders the chance as he fails to control the ball.

The referee indicates start of play and Miami and Charlotte get the ball rolling in the match amid continuous cheers from the home fans, who have filled the stadium with Messi shirts.

The players are done with the final warm-up and have headed back to their dressing room. The match will begin in a few minutes!

Gerard Martion, Miami’s coach has broughT in three changes in his starting line-up, including midfielder Sergio Busquets, which will see the former Barcelona trio of Messi, Suarez and Busquets in action at the middle of the park.

Miami will depend on the tandem of former Barcelona forwards, Luis Suarez and Messi, to secure full points, which would see it take an 11 point lead at the top of the Eastern Conference standings. It has just two losses in its last 11 games and beat Charlotte 2-1 in their previous clash in July.

Charlotte, on the other hand, has struggled to find wins, securing its first victory after eight matches, beating New England 4-0. Its last away win, however, came in July, a 3-1 victory over Cincinnati FC.

Lionel Messi’ Inter Miami will look to widen its lead on top of standings in the Eastern Conference Major League Soccer as it hosts Charlotte FC at the Chase Stadium in Florida, United States on Saturday.

Miami comes into the match after a 1-1 draw with New York City FC, with Messi looking to find form since returning from his ankle injury he picked up at the Copa America 2024 final. The World Cup winner scored twice on his return, helping his team beat Philadelphia Union on September 15.

That match, a home game, however was the last time he had a direct goal contribution and Miami has drawn two matches since, with both on the road.

Charlotte and Miami have met six times and the host side having an upper hand with three wins while the visitors have won twice. The remaining match has been a draw.