At a critical moment for Inter Miami, Lionel Messi pulled another rabbit out of the hat to save his team from yet another loss in a season that’s spiraling out of control. With the team down 3–1 and just minutes left, the Argentine No. 10 flipped the game on its head with a stunning free-kick goal in the 87th minute, sparking a last-minute comeback that ended in a dramatic 3–3 draw against Philadelphia Union, the top team in the Eastern Conference.

A classic Messi golazo

Up until that point, Messi had been pretty quiet, aside from a long-range shot in the first half. But when Inter needed him most, he stepped up with surgical precision from 17 meters out—the ball flew in at the near post with power, giving keeper Rick no chance. A classic Messi strike that not only narrowed the gap, but also brought a lifeless team back to life.

That goal kicked off a heart-stopping finish. In stoppage time, Messi once again took charge with a move full of vision and finesse: after a quick one-two with his teammates and a cheeky nutmeg, he laid it off perfectly for Venezuelan midfielder Telasco Segovia, who smashed it into the top corner. It was the perfect ending to a game that seemed lost—and ended up being a much-needed breath of fresh air in the middle of a crisis.

A team still stuck in the mud

Even with the draw, the situation remains tough for Inter Miami, who have only one win in their last eight games. Defensive issues continue—they’ve conceded 24 goals in 14 matches—and with the Club World Cup just around the corner, the pressure is on. Javier Mascherano has plenty of work to do to get this team back on track. For now, their only lifeline is when their captain works his magic.

With that goal, Messi now has six goals in eleven MLS matches this season, and 67 career free-kick goals overall. But more than just the stats, his late-game heroics showed that even when everything’s falling apart, Inter Miami can still believe—as long as the magician from Rosario is on the pitch.