Lionel Messi watches on the bench as Herons beat spirited Hong Kong XI

Hong Kong fought hard against their MLS opponents, equalising before halftime, but Gerardo Martino’s team eventually won 4-1.

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Inter decided to sideline its star-studded quintet of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba in a friendly to maintain health.

As a result, they struggled for rhythm in the first half, but Robert Taylor broke the deadlock with a stunning drive from the edge of the box, curving the ball into the top corner in a Messi-esque finish.

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Just three minutes later, however, Hong Kong’s XI equalised when Estonia international Henri Anier controlled a cross, appeared to tumble, but recovered and finished.

Hong Kong made ten changes at halftime, but Miami rediscovered their stride in the second half.

Lawson Sunderland took the lead for Miami barely five minutes after the restart, converting Ryan Sailor’s superb cross after Leonardo Campana played him in.

Alarms! Lionel Messi will not play a minute against Hong Kong XI, is he  injured?

Campana added a third goal from inside the box, before Alba and Busquets came on as substitutes.

Ryan Sailor scored for Inter late in the game, sealing the win.