Lionel Messi joined in with wild celebrations as Leonardo Campana scored in added time against DC United to keep Inter Miami top of the MLS Eastern Conference.
Campana controlled the long ball in behind and sent his shot in crashing off the crossbar. The 23-year-old Ecuadorian ripped his top off and was mobbed by his Inter Miami teammates, with captain Messi among the first to join him.
The narrow victory is Inter Miami 's ninth in 15 games, putting them one point ahead of last year's conference winners, Cincinnati. Miami are also on a seven-game unbeaten run, and managed to avoid defeat in their previous game against Florida rivals Orlando without their main man, Messi.
"I highlight our defensive effort because we had to cover large spaces and we resolved it well. And today without a doubt what is celebrated are the three points that are very valuable for what we always talk about, what the team needs to continue adding for when the FIFA window, the Copa América and the Olympic Games come,” said head coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino.
READ MORE: Top 10 highest-paid athletes named by Forbes as LIV Golf star's huge bonus puts him at No.2
READ MORE: 'I'm loved by Lionel Messi and Barcelona tried to sign me – but I can't get in Tottenham team'
Martino added: "This was a difficult match for Leo Messi, it was complicated. The spaces were small, we had to resolve with defenders on our backs."
The game could've easily been lost by Miami too, with DC's Cristián Dájome being denied minutes earlier by Drake Callender. "One minute earlier Drake Callender saved us from a goal that could've cost us the game," Martino said. "A draw would've been fair because D.C. United also didn't test us much until that play.
"We weren't great, we needed to be more dynamic. They built a line of five and then four that were very intense, we couldn't break lines and they were threatening on the wings. Defensively we were good, though, we worked on it well until the last play. But it should've been 0-0."
For all the latest on news, politics, sports, and showbiz from the USA, go to The Mirror US .
Miami wasn't only boosted by the return of Messi but also by Jordi Alba. The left-back returned following a five-week absence. "I am a person that believes that everything in life happens for a reason so it was lucky Campana could come in and score," Alba said. "We're very happy for him and the team, and the fact that we continue being leaders."
Inter Miami visits Vancouver next Saturday, a team well in playoff contention in the Western Conference, where they sit seventh. Following Vancouver will be a date with Atlanta United and then St. Louis at the start of June.
The team will have to make the most of Messi in the next few weeks, with the 36-year-old looking to help Argentina defend its Copa America title at the end of next month.