Messi Magic: Inter Miami Clinch Supporters’ Shield with Thrilling Win Over Columbus Crew
[Image: Lionel Messi in action for Inter Miami]
Inter Miami have secured the Supporters’ Shield, awarded to the team with the best regular season record in Major League Soccer, after a thrilling 3-2 win over defending champions Columbus Crew. And who else but Lionel Messi was the hero of the day?
The Argentine superstar scored twice, including a stunning free-kick, to give Inter Miami a 2-0 lead at halftime. His first goal came in the 45th minute, when he chested down a long ball and got a lucky bounce off Crew defender Malte Amundsen before poking home. Just minutes later, Messi made it 2-0 with a laser-precision free-kick that curled into the corner past the stationary Columbus keeper Patrick Schulte.
But Columbus pulled a goal back just after halftime when Diego Rossi curled his shot into the far corner. The Crew then gifted Miami a third goal when Schulte dropped the ball to Luis Suarez, who headed into the unguarded goal.
The Crew battled back again, making it 3-2 through a Cucho Hernandez penalty after Noah Allen handled in the box. However, their momentum was lost when Rudy Camacho was sent off for a second yellow card after a studs-up challenge on Federico Redondo.
In the dying minutes, the Crew had a glorious chance to grab a point, but Colombian Hernandez’s penalty was weak and Inter Miami keeper Drake Callender saved it.
This win cements Inter Miami’s position as one of the top teams in MLS, and with the MLS Cup playoffs just around the corner, we can expect more thrilling matches from these two teams.
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