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Leonardo Campana came off the bench to score a dramatic stoppage-time winner, securing Inter Miami a 1-0 victory over D.C. United inMajor League Soccer on Saturday.
Despite Lionel Messi's return to the starting lineup after missing the midweek 0-0 draw at Orlando due to a knee injury, Miami struggled to create chances against a disciplined D.C. defense. The match, which started 25 minutes late due to lightning and was further disrupted by a torrential downpour 15 minutes in, saw Miami dominate possession in the first half. D.C. United, however, remained compact, focusing on counter-attacking opportunities.
Jared Stroud had a golden chance to put D.C. ahead after the break, but he poked wide from close range. Messi, restricted to two free-kick efforts that struck the wall, was not at his best, and D.C. began to grow into the game. Matti Peltola flashed a shot just wide in the 69th minute, and Messi's high ball control and subsequent shot over the bar followed two minutes later.
Campana's stoppage-time heroics secure Miami's victory
In the final moments of regulation, D.C. had a chance to steal the game, but Cristian Dajome's weak shot was easily parried by Miami's goalkeeper Drake Callender. Then, in the third minute of stoppage time, Ecuadorian international striker Campana, who has lost his starting place to Luis Suarez this season, made an immediate impact. Brought on as a late substitute, Campana made a darting diagonal run across the D.C. back line and was expertly picked out by Sergio Busquets. Campana controlled the lofted with precision before unleashing an unstoppable shot past goalkeeper Alex Bono.
The goal was a cruel blow for Troy Lesesne's D.C. United, who have shown significant improvement from last season under Wayne Rooney. With this win, league leaders Miami secured their ninth victory of the season, matching their total from last season after just 15 games. Campana's heroics ensured Miami extended their unbeaten run to nine games, capping a night where Gerardo Martino's team found it difficult to break down a resilient D.C. United defense.
Inter Miami's next match will be eagerly anticipated as they look to continue their impressive form.