COLUMBUS, Ohio: Lionel Messi scored a spectacular free kick, but Inter Miami CF suffered a late 2-1 defeat to the Columbus Crew on Sunday night. Messi’s brilliant strike from a tight angle canceled out Josef Martínez’s 28th-minute penalty, but Jamal Thiaré scored deep into stoppage time to give Columbus all three points at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field.
Columbus opened the scoring in the 28th minute when Martínez converted from the penalty spot. Just five minutes later, Messi responded with a stunning free kick from the right side of the field. Despite the difficult angle, the Argentine forward curled the ball perfectly into the net to level the match at 1-1. The goal was Messi’s 21st in the 2026 Major League Soccer regular season, extending his lead in the league’s Golden Boot race. Major League Soccer subsequently highlighted Messi’s strike among the standout goals of Matchday 28, describing it as a goal scored from an “impossible angle.”
Inter Miami had chances to take the lead after halftime, but Columbus goalkeeper Patrick Schulte made several important saves. Messi came close again in the 62nd minute, but his left-footed effort from outside the box was saved by Schulte. Inter Miami also had a goal ruled out for offside later in the second half. The match appeared headed for a draw until the eighth minute of stoppage time. Jamal Thiaré found the net from inside the box in the 98th minute, sending the home crowd into celebration and giving Columbus a dramatic 2-1 victory.
The victory was significant for Columbus, which secured consecutive league wins for only the second time this season. The Crew also moved within four points of ninth-place New York City FC in the Eastern Conference playoff race. A record crowd of 21,188 watched the match at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field.
Inter Miami will return home for its next Major League Soccer regular-season match against D.C. United on October 10. Despite the defeat, Messi remains the league’s leading scorer with 21 goals this season.
Final Score:
Columbus Crew 2-1 Inter Miami CF
Goals:
28′ — Josef Martínez (Columbus)
33′ — Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)
90+8′ — Jamal Thiaré (Columbus)
