Everything Miami was creating was coming through Messi, who flashed a snapshot wide before moments later whipping in a cross for a Gomez header which was saved by Panicco's feet.
Mexican side Monterrey sent Lionel Messi and Inter Miami crashing out of the CONCACAF Champions Cup on Wednesday after completing a 5-2 aggregate victory in their quarter-final clash.
Messi, the beloved Border collie who stole hearts in the Oscar-nominated film "Anatomy of a Fall", will not be gracing the red carpet at the upcoming Academy Awards ceremony. Despite capturing the attention of Hollywood's elite at the recent nominees' luncheon, the four-legged sensation will be notably absent from Sunday's star-studded event.
Messi's goal came in the second minute of second-half stoppage time and kept Inter Miami unbeaten (1-0-1, 4 points).
In a video posted on China's Weibo social media platform, Messi rejected chatter that his no-show was "for political reasons" and said if this had been the case, "I would not have traveled" to Hong Kong in the first place.
The World Cup winner joined Inter from Paris Saint Germain in mid-July, the biggest name ever to move to MLS and his signing caused a massive spurt in interest in American soccer.
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez channelled his inner Lionel Messi when he scored his side’s third goal in a classy 3-1 win in a fourth-round FA Cup tie against Aston Villa at Villa Park on Thursday.
It came days after his absence on the pitch in a recent Hong Kong friendly had angered fans there.
Organisers of a Hong Kong football match which drew boos after star man Lionel Messi failed to play said Monday they deeply regretted the no-show, and would withdraw a bid for a HK$16 million ($2 million) government grant.
Inter Miami said the tour's promoter had informed the club of the cancellation, adding it was "due to unforeseen circumstances in China", according to an online statement.
Lionel Messi said Monday he was not thinking about his long-term future as he sought to enjoy winning the eighth Ballon d'Or of his storied career.
"I will enjoy the holidays in Argentina. It's the first time that I am going to have more days off in December, with the holidays, with peace of mind, with my people. In January, I will return (to Miami) again to do preseason, start from scratch and prepare as best as possible as always."
The team will play two Chinese Super League teams in friendly matches, first facing Qingdao Hainiu on November 5 before playing against Chengdu Rongcheng three days later.
A third-minute goal from Nicolas Otamendi was just enough for Lionel Scaloni's team, with Lionel Messi coming off in the bench in the second half and hitting the woodwork twice.
Spanish journalist Guillem Balague reported that the global superstar isn't going anywhere except on vacation.
Argentina host Paraguay at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires on Friday at 5am, Bangladesh Time.
Messi missed Inter's 4-1 defeat to Chicago on Wednesday as he continues to struggle with his fitness -- he has played just 37 minutes for the club since September 3.
Messi was substituted after 38 minutes of the team's win over Toronto FC on September 20 but missed the following league game at Orlando and Wednesday's US Open Cup defeat to Houston.
Without Messi and his former Barcelona team-mate Jordi Alba, Miami struggled to compete with an enterprising Houston and could have little to complain about the outcome.