Lionel Messi scored twice as Inter Miami secured a 3-2 victory over defending MLS champions, Columbus Crew, clinching the Supporters’ Shield for the best regular season record.
Messi had a quiet start but broke the deadlock in the 45th minute, chesting down a long ball and benefiting from a fortunate deflection off Crew defender Malte Amundsen before slotting it home.
Just minutes later, Messi doubled the lead with a perfectly placed free-kick, taking advantage of a poorly assembled wall and curling the ball past Columbus goalkeeper Patrick Schulte.
Early in the second half, Columbus responded quickly as Diego Rossi curled a shot into the far corner to pull one back. However, Inter Miami soon restored their two-goal cushion when Schulte misjudged a ball, allowing Luis Suarez to head into an empty net after the mix-up with defender Rudy Camacho.
Columbus fought back once more, narrowing the gap to 3-2 with a penalty from Cucho Hernandez after Noah Allen was penalized for handball. The Crew’s momentum was halted when Camacho received a second yellow card for a studs-up challenge on Federico Redondo.
Columbus had a chance to equalize late in the game after VAR awarded them a penalty for handball against Ian Fray, but Hernandez’s weak attempt was saved by Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender.
While the MLS Cup playoffs will ultimately decide the league champions, Columbus and Miami may meet again in the Eastern Conference battle.
