Messi Free Kick Not Enough as Inter Miami Loses to Columbus
Inter Miami dropped a 2-1 MLS result to Columbus Crew despite a free-kick goal from Lionel Messi, with Jamal Thiaré scoring in stoppage time for the winner. Messi played his final match for Miami before joining Argentina for an international farewell on October 6 against Benin. The loss left Miami 14 points behind Nashville and fifth in the overall standings, outside the Concachampions qualifying places.
Miami's defeat was its fifth this season in MLS and came on matchday 28. Messi, 39, scored from a free kick four minutes after Josef Martínez converted a penalty for Columbus, but Jamal Thiaré struck in stoppage time. The Argentine's 117th appearance for Miami moved him third in club history, one behind Drake Callender.
Cristian González, in his third match as Miami coach, fielded a three-man defense with Casemiro, Micael and Gonzalo Luján. Columbus reached 29 points; Miami stayed fifth overall on 46, 14 behind Nashville and outside Concachampions spots. Next, Miami hosts D.C. United on Oct. 10.
Miami's slide could temper local excitement around the club's late-season playoff and Concachampions push, while Messi's looming Argentina farewell may draw broader global attention to both his national team and MLS. Columbus supporters may see the stoppage-time win as a morale boost. For casual fans, the result may reinforce how competitive MLS can be even when a superstar scores, though its wider social impact is likely limited to sports audiences.