Messi sets historic MLS record, Mbappe apologizes as Real Madrid escapes defeat

Messi almost scored from a classy free kick

In a very difficult away match against Chicago Fire FC, Messi almost made the difference with his classy free kick in the 64th minute. The Argentinean took a beautiful free kick that beat goalkeeper Chris Brady, but the ball hit the crossbar and bounced out.

Messi helps Chicago Fire FC welcome record-high attendance in MLS club history

Photo: Reuters

Apart from this situation, Inter Miami, despite controlling the game and creating 3 other good chances, could not score against Chicago Fire FC. With great support from the home crowd, Chicago Fire FC also made Inter Miami's defense struggle many times. But both sides could not do what they needed to do, which was to score to win the match, and had to share the points in regret.

According to coach Mascherano: "This is a difficult match against an opponent who had a good start to the season. People cannot forget that we have played continuously for 3 or 4 days/match and for the past 2 months. Maintaining high performance is very difficult. Therefore, I think this is also a result not worth disappointing".

With Messi helping Chicago Fire FC set a historic MLS viewership record, coach Mascherano expressed: "I think Messi has changed the way the world looks at MLS in one way or another. We're talking about a player who has the ability to achieve all of those things. I think MLS now has the responsibility to continue moving forward."

Many fans flooded the field to meet Messi

Photo: Reuters

The draw against Chicago Fire FC helped Inter Miami maintain their unbeaten record in MLS 2025, with 4 wins and 3 draws. They are currently ranked 4th in the Eastern Conference standings with 15 points, but still have 1 match in hand. If they win the make-up match, Coach Mascherano's team will reclaim the top spot, as they are only 1 point behind the teams above them.

Mbappe apologizes as Real Madrid escape defeat

Also in the early morning of April 14, Real Madrid struggled to defeat their opponent Alaves with a score of 1-0 in round 31 of La Liga, with the only goal scored by player Camavinga in the 34th minute. But just 4 minutes after this opening goal, their number 1 striker, Mbappe, received a direct red card for a rough foul on player Antonio Blanco.

The referee initially only gave Mbappe a yellow card, but after reviewing VAR, decided to give him a red card. This incident caused Real Madrid to play with 10 men, and it took until the 70th minute to equalize the numbers when Alaves player Sanchez also received a red card.

Mbappe received a red card, forcing Real Madrid to play with 10 men for most of the match.

Photo: Reuters

Mbappe is currently facing a three-match ban, which could be increased to four if the referee reports that his red card was deliberately sent off, and could therefore miss the Copa del Rey final when Real Madrid take on Barcelona on April 27.

After the match, according to Spanish press, Mbappe met with player Antonio Blanco to apologize. He is also anxiously awaiting the disciplinary decision from the La Liga Disciplinary Committee, to know exactly how many matches he will miss.

The hard-fought victory over Alaves helped Real Madrid continue to maintain the race for the La Liga championship with Barcelona, ​​when the gap was shortened to 4 points. Above all, this victory helped Real Madrid regain their spirit before the decisive match with Arsenal at 2am on April 17 in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals. Real Madrid lost the first leg 0-3.

In the Premier League, Liverpool went straight to the championship early when they beat West Ham 2-1 to leave Arsenal 13 points behind after 32 rounds. Newcastle defeated MU 4-1 to take 4th place, while Chelsea was held to a 2-2 draw by Ipswich, dropping to 6th place behind Man City. Newcastle still has 1 match left to play, if they win they will continue to rise to 3rd place.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/messi-lap-ky-luc-lich-su-mls-mbappe-xin-loi-khi-real-madrid-thoat-thua-18525041407424272.htm