Columbus Crew 2-1 Inter Miami: Thiaré Wins It Late as Messi Shines

Columbus Crew 2-1 Inter Miami: Thiaré Wins It Late as Messi's Magic Not Enough | MLS Report

Columbus Crew beat Inter Miami 2-1 at Lower.com Field in a dramatic MLS clash defined by set pieces, stoppage-time chaos, and a heavy statistical tilt toward the hosts. According to Arena Live, Josef Martínez converted a first-half penalty, Lionel Messi answered with a trademark free-kick, and substitute Jamal Thiaré decided it at the death.

Key Moments:

• 24' - Penalty Check: A possible penalty for Columbus was reviewed and not awarded.
• 28' - Josef Martínez: Four minutes later, Martínez won a spot-kick and buried it low to the left for 1-0.
• 33' - Lionel Messi: Inter Miami responded quickly when Messi bent a left-footed free-kick high into the net to level the match at 1-1.
• 90+3' & 90+6' - Santiago Morales Sent Off: The Inter Miami player received two yellow cards in added time for time-wasting, reducing the visitors to 10 men.
• 90+8' - Jamal Thiaré: The substitute, introduced on 83 minutes, was in the right place to finish from close range and seal the win for Columbus.

What the Numbers Say: The underlying data sided with Columbus from start to finish. The Crew led shots 14-5 and shots on target 6-3, while producing 1.87 expected goals to Miami's 0.27. Columbus created three big chances to none and hit the woodwork three times. Set-piece and territorial data told a similar story: Columbus had a 9-1 corner edge and posted 60 final-third entries to Inter's 37.

Messi's Influence: By Sofascore Rating, the standout on the pitch was Lionel Messi at 7.8. He scored with a sublime free-kick, finished with three shots and two on target, and connected 27 of 29 passes, including two key passes. Even in a losing effort, the captain's efficiency kept Inter Miami in the game deep into stoppage time. Fans also voted him Player of the Match with 4,393 of 4,655 total votes.

Discipline and Game Management: This was a physical contest: 35 fouls, 12 yellows, and one red. Early cautions for Casemiro (27') and Dylan Chambost (38') set a tone of persistent contact. Miami's Yannick Bright conceded the penalty, and the visitors were flagged offside four times. Inter also needed more clearances, 24 to 17, a sign they spent longer under pressure.

Match Details:

• Competition: MLS
• Venue: Lower.com Field, Columbus, Ohio
• Referee: Victor Rivas