Inter Miami won the MLS showdown against Columbus Crew on Wednesday night. The top two teams faced off, and thanks to standout performances from Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez, Inter Miami was able to extend their lead. As a result, Inter Miami secured the Supporters' Shield.
Alongside wingback Jordi Alba and central defender Sergio Busquets, former Barcelona stars Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez, both of whom have reunited in Miami, started the match against Columbus Crew.
Messi, returning to form after a brief injury spell, is also set to rejoin the Argentina national team during the upcoming international break, bringing even more excitement to his season. As for Suárez, the Uruguayan striker has seamlessly integrated into the team, rekindling his lethal partnership with Messi, which was a hallmark of their success at Barcelona.
The stakes were high for Columbus Crew going into the match. Inter Miami held an eight-point lead over them, and the Crew needed a victory to close the gap in the race for the top spot in the MLS standings. A win would have injected fresh life into the competition, creating tension as the teams battle for the ultimate prize in the league. However, Miami’s formidable squad, powered by Messi and Suárez, proved too much to handle.
Just before halftime, Messi added another chapter to his extraordinary season. In typical Messi fashion, the 37-year-old showcased his unmatched ball control as he effortlessly brought down a high ball, maneuvered past two Columbus defenders with ease, and calmly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper. The moment was vintage Messi, underlining why he is still considered one of the greatest to ever play the game. But the Argentine maestro wasn’t done yet. Just minutes later, he lined up a free kick, catching the Columbus goalkeeper off guard with a perfectly placed shot into the near post. It was a moment of brilliance that had the fans roaring and took his tally for the season to an incredible 17 goals and 10 assists in 17 MLS matches. Messi's consistency and ability to deliver in crucial moments have been pivotal to Miami’s rise in the league this season.
Columbus, determined not to go down without a fight, responded immediately after the break. Diego Rossi, who has been one of their standout players, struck a beautiful curling shot that found the back of the net, reducing the deficit and reigniting hope for the home side. The goal brought the crowd back into the match and set the stage for a tense second half. But just as Columbus began to gain momentum, Luis Suárez took center stage.
The Uruguayan striker, known for his predatory instincts in the box, capitalized on a mistake by the Columbus goalkeeper, who dropped a high ball after colliding with his own defender. Suárez, ever the opportunist, was in the right place at the right time to head the ball into the empty net, restoring Miami’s two-goal cushion. It was a classic Suárez moment, showcasing his ability to seize chances in the blink of an eye. With Messi and Suárez both on the scoresheet, it seemed like the game was slipping away from Columbus.
However, Columbus Crew managed to claw their way back into the game once again. A penalty was awarded, and Juan Hernández stepped up to take it, coolly converting from the spot to make it 2-3 and reignite hopes of a comeback. The pressure was now firmly on Inter Miami, but things took a dramatic turn when Columbus was reduced to ten men. Rudy Camacho, one of their key defenders, was shown a red card, leaving the home side with an uphill battle to salvage something from the match.
Despite being a man down, Columbus fought valiantly and, in the dying moments of the match, were handed a lifeline when they were awarded another penalty. Once again, Hernández took responsibility, but this time, under immense pressure, he missed the target. The miss was a crushing blow for Columbus, and with that, their chances of salvaging a point from the match slipped away.
With the 2-3 victory, Inter Miami extended their lead in the MLS standings to eleven points, solidifying their position at the top of the table. While Columbus still has a game in hand, the result effectively sealed Miami's triumph in the Supporters' Shield race. This prestigious award is given to the team that finishes first in the combined MLS standings, encompassing both the Eastern and Western Conferences. With their lead now unassailable, Inter Miami has claimed the Supporters' Shield, marking yet another milestone in what has been a remarkable season for the club.
In this combined ranking, no team, including second-place LA Galaxy, can catch Inter Miami. The victory ensures that Miami will enter the next phase of the competition with confidence and momentum firmly on their side. With Messi and Suárez firing on all cylinders, and the rest of the team performing at an elite level, Miami is in prime position to challenge for even more silverware as the season progresses. As the playoffs approach, fans and pundits alike are excited to see how far this star-studded team can go, with many tipping them to go all the way to the MLS Cup. The next phase of the competition begins in just two matches, and with Miami’s current form, they will be a force to be reckoned with.
