Lionel Messi scored twice in the final minutes of the first half, and goalkeeper Drake Callender made a crucial penalty save in the 84th minute, helping Inter Miami edge out the defending MLS Cup champions Columbus Crew 3-2 on Wednesday night.
This victory not only earned Inter Miami another trophy—the Supporters Shield, awarded to the team with the best regular-season record—but also secured home-field advantage for the upcoming MLS playoffs.
For Messi, the win marked his 46th major trophy for club and country, further extending his record for the most trophies won by any men’s soccer player in history. It also added to the Leagues Cup, which he helped Inter Miami win shortly after joining the team in 2023.
“We knew this was a group that could fight for this,” Messi said after the match.
Dominant Performance Secures Victory
Messi’s brilliance was on full display. He opened the scoring in the 45th minute, receiving a pinpoint pass from Jordi Alba, his former Barcelona teammate. Messi then weaved past two defenders and slotted the ball past Columbus goalkeeper Patrick Schulte to give Inter Miami a 1-0 lead.
Just minutes later, deep into first-half stoppage time, Messi doubled the lead with a stunning free kick from 30 yards out, leaving Schulte helpless as the ball found the net near the post. Watch that Messi magic:
Columbus struck back early in the second half with Diego Rossi scoring to make it 2-1, but Inter Miami quickly restored their two-goal cushion. A defensive miscommunication left the Columbus goal wide open, allowing Luis Suarez to head the ball into the net, making it 3-1.
Late Drama and Callender’s Heroics
Columbus wasn’t done. In the 61st minute, Juan “Cucho” Hernández converted a penalty, closing the gap to 3-2. Moments later, Columbus suffered a setback when Rudy Camacho received his second yellow card, reducing them to 10 men for the rest of the match.
Despite being a man down, Columbus continued to create chances. In the 76th minute, Mohamed Farsi’s shot looked dangerous, but Callender made a vital block to keep Inter Miami’s lead intact. The tension heightened when Inter Miami conceded another handball in the box, giving Hernández a chance to level the score with a penalty. But Callender rose to the occasion, diving to his left to make a comfortable save.
This was Messi’s fifth two-goal game in MLS this season, bringing his tally to 17 goals in 17 matches. Though injuries and national team duties limited his appearances, Messi’s impact has been undeniable. With him in the lineup, Inter Miami boasts a record of 10-1-6 in MLS play.
“We’ve had many injuries this year, but we’ve always found a way to fight through every game,” Messi said.
Eyes on MLS Cup and Records
With this win, Inter Miami improved to 20-4-8 for the season, totaling 68 points. If they win their final two games, they could break the MLS single-season points record, currently held by New England, who finished with 73 points in 2021.
The road ahead looks promising. Inter Miami will open their playoff run at the end of October in a best-of-three first-round series. If they advance, they’ll host every match for the rest of the playoffs, including the Eastern Conference semifinal in late November and possibly the MLS Cup final on Dec. 7.
“Dec. 7 is the date we’re aiming for,” said Inter Miami coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino. “But today’s win is still an important milestone.”
With Messi leading the charge, Inter Miami is not only chasing another trophy but also aiming to make history.
