FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Lionel Messi, playing his first game in nearly a month, showed no signs of rust, scoring an equalizing goal for Inter Miami 13 minutes after entering the game in the second half against the Colorado Rapids Saturday night. Minutes later, he helped set up a go-ahead goal for Leo Afonso.

But the Messi magic was not enough.

A defensive lapse in the 88th minute led to a goal by Colorado’s Cole Bassett and Messi and his teammates had to settle for a 2-2 tie.

Pink fireworks filled the sky over Chase Stadium as the near-sellout crowd went wild when Messi scored his goal — his fourth MLS goal this season and sixth overall. More than 20,000 fans, most in Messi’s pink No. 10 shirts, began chanting “Messi! Messi!” when the Argentine star began warming up at the end of the first half.

When he entered the game at the start of the second half, the decibel level rose to a whole new level, as did the level of play. And when he scored, off a perfect cross from fellow Argentine Franco Negri, it was complete bedlam.

Messi not only scored, he made everyone around him better.

Minutes after his goal, he got the ball to David Ruiz, who sent in a cross to Afonso for the go-ahead goal; and just like that Inter Miami took a 2-1 lead over the Rapids in the 60th minute.

Messi returned to the active roster Saturday after missing four games in a row, but he was on the bench for the start of the home game against Colorado Rapids, along with his former Barcelona teammates Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets.

Coach Tata Martino benched most of his regular starting lineup for the league game, which is sandwiched between the two legs of the Champions Cup quarterfinal series against Mexican club Monterrey. Miami lost the first game 2-1 on Wednesday and the teams meet again Wednesday in Monterrey.

Messi had not played since March 13 due to a hamstring strain. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner missed three league games, two Argentina national team friendlies and the first leg of Monterrey Champions Cup series.

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