Lionel Messi netted two goals as Inter Miami triumphed over the defending Major League Soccer champions, the Columbus Crew, with a score of 3-2, securing the Supporters’ Shield for having the best regular season record.
The first half began with the hosts putting pressure on the attack while Inter Miami defended resolutely. Just when it seemed the match would go into halftime scoreless, Miami captain Messi helped his team break the deadlock in the 45th minute. Moments later, he secured his second goal with a brilliant left-footed free kick that curled around the wall in the fifth minute of added time, extending the lead to 2-0 just before the break.
MESSIIIIIIIIII!!!
Messi magic again to get his brace. 🪄 pic.twitter.com/tqT4Md1ydO
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 3, 2024
In the second half, Columbus quickly narrowed the gap when forward Diego Rossi scored in the 46th minute. Shortly after, Suárez capitalized on a loose ball in the box, heading it into an empty net to increase Inter Miami’s lead to 3-1 in the 48th minute. Columbus Crew attacker Cucho Hernández then converted a penalty in the 61st minute to make a 3-2 lead. Miami held on to the lead in the dying moments of the game to take all 3 points.
By clinching the Shield, Inter Miami ensured home-field advantage for the entirety of the playoffs. Additionally, the team is on track to surpass the league record for the most points in a regular season. The New England Revolution set the record with 73 points in the 2021 season, but Miami has the opportunity to break that record by winning its last two matches.
This is also the second trophy Messi has won with Inter Miami, following the Leagues Cup triumph that the Herons secured shortly after his arrival at the club in 2023.
“I am happy. Happy that we did it,” Messi told Apple TV after the game. “At the beginning of the year we knew that this was a group to fight for this.
“We took charge from the beginning, we had the players to do this. I am happy to secure the first objective, and we’re thinking of the next,” he added.
The moment we made history! 🛡️🖤🩷 pic.twitter.com/zRseWXbGTZ
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) October 3, 2024
Despite Messi joining midway through the season, Inter Miami missed out on the playoffs in 2023, although they did secure the Leagues Cup. However, they have flourished this season, with Messi and manager Tata Martino experiencing their first full campaign together, while Luis Suárez leads the scoring charts after transferring from Grêmio.
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Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
