CHESTER, Pa. — Lionel Messi delivered a goal and an assist as Inter Miami CF battled to a 2-2 draw against the Philadelphia Union in a fiery MLS regular-season contest at Subaru Park.

The host side seized an early advantage in the 11th minute when midfielder Indiana Vassilev connected on a volley to beat Herons goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair, set up by 16-year-old phenom Cavan Sullivan.

Inter Miami responded 10 minutes later through a well-worked attacking sequence initiated by Messi. The Argentine captain floated a left-side cross into the box to Luis Suárez, who cushioned a header into the path of Dániel Pintér. The Academy product finished from close range to register his first career MLS goal and draw the visitors level in the 21st minute.

Messi turned the match around five minutes later with a signature piece of individual skill. Gathering a feed from Ian Fray on the right wing, Messi cut inside onto his left foot and curled a 12-yard strike into the far corner past Andre Blake. The goal—his 13th of the MLS regular season—put Miami ahead 2-1 heading into the halftime interval.

The Union equalized in the 58th minute when 18-year-old defender Neil Pierre rose in the box to head home his third goal in five matches. Philadelphia thought they had taken the lead four minutes later when Milan Iloski found the net, but a VAR review overturned the call due to an offside position in the buildup.

A tense, physical match boiled over deep in stoppage time following an off-the-ball altercation, resulting in straight red cards for Philadelphia’s Cavan Sullivan and Miami’s Yannick Bright in the 90+11th minute.

The draw leaves Inter Miami in second place in the Eastern Conference standings with 39 points (11-3-6), while Philadelphia moves to 5-10-5. Miami returns home to host Toronto FC at Nu Stadium on Sunday.