Lionel Messi had a tremendous impact on the game as Inter Miami claimed victory over the Columbus Crew, the reigning champions of Major League Soccer (MLS), with a scoreline of 3-2. This match marked a pivotal moment as it allowed Inter Miami to clinch the prestigious Supporters’ Shield, awarded to the team with the best regular season record. Despite being relatively quiet during the first half, Messi came alive just before halftime, scoring the first goal by deftly controlling a long ball and benefiting from a fortunate bounce off a defender to find the net. A few moments later, he doubled the lead, perfectly executing a free kick that curled past the Columbus goalkeeper, Patrick Schulte, highlighting his remarkable ability to capitalize on set pieces.
With this performance, Messi added to his remarkable tally, now boasting 17 goals and 15 assists over just 17 games, following a two-month injury layoff. He has become an essential player for Miami and demonstrated his quality at a critical time. However, Columbus had no intention of giving up easily, and only twenty seconds into the second half, Diego Rossi struck a clever shot from inside the box, placing the ball into the far corner to reduce the deficit. Miami’s lead was quickly restored after an unusual error from Schulte, whose unfortunate drop led to Luis Suarez heading the ball into an empty net, resulting in a 3-1 scoreline.
The tension in the match escalated as Columbus fought back again, bringing the score to 3-2 with a penalty dispatched by Cucho Hernandez after a handball from Noah Allen. The momentum appeared to shift back in Columbus’ favor, but Miami’s hope was revived when Camacho received a second yellow card, reducing Inter to ten men. Despite the numerical advantage, Columbus could not find the equalizer. With just seven minutes remaining, they were awarded a crucial penalty due to a handball incident involving Ian Fray, giving Hernandez a chance to net a late equalizer. However, Hernandez’s weak shot was saved by Miami’s goalkeeper, Drake Callender, solidifying Miami’s triumph and ensuring they secured the Shield.
Post-match, Messi expressed satisfaction with the victory and acknowledged the challenge presented by Columbus, highlighting the resilience of his team throughout the match. With this win, Messi added another trophy to his illustrious career, now totaling 46 titles, which further cements his status as the most decorated player in football history. He emphasized that while the Supporters’ Shield is a significant achievement, their main focus remains on winning the MLS Cup, which they view as the ultimate goal for the season. The Shield has now confirmed Inter Miami’s position as the top seeds in the Eastern Conference, and with two matches left, they hope to secure a new single-season points record.
In anticipation of the playoffs, Messi stressed the importance of the home-field advantage that comes with finishing at the top of the table, stating that it could be critical as the team continues its pursuit of the MLS Cup. He acknowledged the inherent challenges of the playoffs, with the first round being a three-game series and the subsequent rounds switching to single elimination. However, confidence in the team’s home performance fuels their ambitions. Columbus, while disappointed with the defeat, stands ready to regroup as they prepare for the playoffs, maintaining a competitive second-place standing within the Eastern Conference.
Other notable match results in MLS included Charlotte securing the final automatic playoff spot in the East with a thrilling 4-3 victory over Chicago. In a remarkable comeback, D.C. United also displayed tenacity by securing a similar scoreline against Nashville, with two goals scored in stoppage time, thereby keeping their hopes alive for a wild card position. The playoff structure, with its combination of home games and elimination rounds, adds further excitement and unpredictability to the culmination of the MLS season. As teams position themselves for the playoffs, Messi’s form and Inter Miami’s success offer a compelling narrative moving forward into this critical phase of the competition.
