Just like in the old times, when both of them wore the FC Barcelona jersey, Leo Messi and Luis Suárez have once again been instrumental in helping their team add another title to their trophy cabinet. This time around, the Argentine star and the Uruguayan 'killer' notably contributed to Inter Miami's 2-3 victory over Columbus Crew in a match corresponding to the Supporters' Shield of Major League Soccer.
'Las Garzas' have lifted this accolade for the first time in their short history after emerging as the best team in the Eastern Conference in the 2024 season. After playing 32 matches, they secured a total of 20 wins, eight draws, and four losses, accumulating 68 points and outpacing their closest pursuer by 11 points, precisely Columbus Crew.
The clash between Inter Miami and Columbus didn't fall short of excitement
Now, the duel between both teams, held at Lower.com Field, turned out to be a highly charged encounter from the start. In fact, Columbus took the lead 8 minutes into the game with a goal by Juan Camilo 'Cucho' Hernández, which was disallowed due to the Colombian forward being offside. This was just the beginning of a clash where 'The Crew' dominated the first 25 minutes.
However, this didn't mean that 'Tata' Martino's team wouldn't play a pivotal role in the match. They even managed to go ahead on the scoreboard with a goal from Marcelo 'Chelo' Weigandt in the 25th minute, which was also ruled out for an alleged offside after the VAR review.
From this point on, the intensity of the game increased both physically, with a lot of physicality, and in terms of chances, as dangerous plays began to unfold, leading to a convincing 0-2 lead for Inter Miami, courtesy of whom? Yes, their main scorer, Lionel Andrés Messi.
Leo Messi and a brace showcasing his GOAT version
The former FC Barcelona player, within five minutes, scored two goals for his team. The first one came in the 45th minute, after receiving a long pass from Jordi Alba near the edge of the box. Messi chested the ball, eluded two defenders with a bit of luck, and with a subtle left-footed shot, beat the opposing goalkeeper.
The other goal came in the 45+5th minute, this time with his trademark move, a powerful left-footed strike in a direct free-kick. A potent shot that, by clearing the wall in height, sharply dropped near the right post of the goal defended by Patrick Schulte. Nothing he could do.
Luis Suárez also made his mark in 'Las Garzas' celebration
However, Columbus would quickly mount a response in the game, as at the beginning of the second half, in the 46th minute, Diego Rossi made it 1-2 to narrow the gap. This scoreline would swiftly be extended again thanks to Luis Suárez, who in the 48th minute, after a mistake by Schulte, took advantage to head the ball into the net.
Subsequently, it wasn't until the 61st minute that Columbus would once again reduce the deficit, scoring 2-3 through a penalty kick executed by 'Cucho' Hernández, practically marking the last bit of excitement in a match where Wilfried Nancy's team ended with one player less following the expulsion of Rudy Camacho in the 63rd minute. Also, towards the end of the game, 'Las Garzas' came close to equalizing in the 84th minute through a penalty, but a great intervention by goalkeeper Drake Callender prevented the Colombian from scoring.