Messi Dominates in Miami’s 5-1 Victory
In a commanding performance, Lionel Messi led Inter Miami to a decisive 5-1 victory over the Columbus Crew on Saturday night, marking his fifth goal in just three matches of Major League Soccer (MLS) this season. Throughout the match, Messi was a pivotal presence, contributing significantly to each of Miami’s five goals. He netted two goals himself, scoring in the 15th and 24th minutes to raise his tally for the season to 10, a count that not only tops his team but also places him third in the league overall.
All-around Influence
In addition to his scoring feats, Messi assisted in setting up goals for Tadeo Allende (13th minute), Fafà Picault (89th minute), and had a hand in Luis Suárez‘s goal (64th minute), showcasing his all-around influence on the game. This match marked the second consecutive game where the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner achieved at least two goals along with an assist, bringing his league total for goal contributions to an impressive 15, establishing him as the top contributor in MLS.
Miami’s Offensive Energy
From the outset, Inter Miami demonstrated their offensive energy by launching seven shots in the first 25 minutes, with four of those being on target, against a Columbus Crew side known for its strong defensive record, having previously allowed only 19 goals this season, ranking eighth in the league.
“We prepared well for this game and it’s great to see our efforts pay off with such a strong performance.”
The scoring began with Allende’s cross-body finish, which Messi set up with a precise long ball. Messi followed that up shortly after, capitalizing on a mishap from Crew goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen to loft the ball over him. His second goal came courtesy of a well-timed pass from former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets, allowing Messi to dash past the defense and score with ease, elevating the score to 2-0.
Crucial Match for Miami
This match was crucial for Miami, who had struggled in their prior eight matches with only two victories, and transitioned into Saturday’s contest sitting sixth in the Eastern Conference standings. With their recent 4-2 win against Montreal earlier in the week, this victory against Columbus propelled them to third place with a total of 29 points, just in time as they prepare for the Club World Cup next month.
On June 14, Miami will face Al Ahly of Egypt at Hard Rock Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins, following Messi’s international commitments with the Argentina national team for World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia on June 5 and June 10, respectively.
Season Encounters
The matchup against Columbus was the second encounter of the season between these two teams, who have both enjoyed recent success in the League’s Cup tournaments. In a previous meeting earlier this season, held in front of a record crowd of 60,614 at Huntington Bank Field, Miami narrowly claimed a 1-0 victory, marking a historical attendance for the Crew’s home games.
Columbus did manage to get on the scoreboard late in the game when Dylan Chambost‘s corner kick was converted by Cesar Ruvalcaba, but Suarez quickly restored Miami’s three-goal margin shortly thereafter, sealing a dominant night for the Herons. Miami, however, was without veteran left back Jordi Alba, who missed the match due to a lower-body injury sustained against Montreal.
