With Lionel Messi benched due to an Injury, Inter Miami staged an entertaining match keeping the playoffs hope alive earning a 1-1 with Orlando in a “true rivalry” fixture.

The state derby truly produced a scintillating action, Orlando FC forwards Mounted immense pressure on Messi’s Inter Miami dominating the whole match.

It was evident that without the Argentine World Cup winner Miami was not doing a good job handling the pressure , thereby handing Orlando several offensive opportunities.

However Orlando were also unable to finish on most if not all their opportunities.

Inter Miami took the lead through a David Ruiz effort in the 52 minute. Ruiz took advantage of a right place in the right time scenario Pouncing on a rebound ball right at the goal post.

This was definitely Ruiz’s highlight as it was his second time scoring for his home team after making 17 appearances for the senior team.

Orlando’s Duncan McGuire leveled matters in the 66th minute when he later canceled Ruiz’s goal 14 minutes later.

Ultimately both team had to go home with a point each as the season winds down.

Orlando’s next assignment in the MLS will be against Montreal as Inter Miami heads to the Open Cup finals against Houston who in the last three encounters have who two Matches and Miami only match.

Lioness Messi could be the secret weapon for Inter Miami Inter Miami coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino last week announced that Messi would be rested for the Orlando tie.

Messi left the pitch last week during the Toronto match after barely playing through the first half of the match.

ALSO READ: Fatigue or injury? Messi subbed after just 37 minutes for Inter Miami

He however hoped that the seven time Ballon D’or winner would be ready for the US Open Cup finals against Houston Dynamo.

Messi has not been in his optimum since his world cup qualifiers assignment with his national team Argentina, when they played Eduardo.

ALSO READ: Messi made Argentina’s assistant coach to beat FIFA rules