Lionel Messi in action for Inter Miami© AFP
Lionel Messi scored twice as Inter Miami defeated the defending Major League Soccer champion Columbus Crew 3-2 to win the Supporters’ Shield, awarded for the best record in the regular season. Messi was in control until the 45th minute when he put Inter ahead – flicking a long ball into the box and receiving a lucky rebound from Crewe defender Malte Amundsen before scoring. Minutes later, Messi made it 2-0, taking advantage of a poorly assembled wall to curl a laser-precise free kick into the corner past the motionless Columbus goalkeeper Patrick Schulte.
But 20 seconds into the second half, Columbus pulled one back when the ball dropped Diego Rossi just inside the box and cleverly curled his shot into the far corner.
Immediately after play resumed, Columbus gave Miami a third down when Schulte came off his line, but with defender Rudy Camacho on his way he released the ball to Luis Suarez, who sent a header into the unguarded goal.
GOAOLLLLLLLLLL LEO MESIIIIIIIIIIII 0-2
WHAT A FREE KICK!!pic.twitter.com/3dyuVr098E
— Leo Messi Fan Club (@WeAreMessi) October 3, 2024
However, Crew battled back and made it 3-2 through Cucho Hernandez’s penalty after Noah Allen was handled in the box.
But once again the momentum gained by Columbus was lost when Camacho was sent off for a second yellow card after a challenge on Federico Redondo.
Seven minutes from time, however, Crewe had a glorious chance to claim a point – and spoil Miami’s celebration – when Ian Frey was awarded a penalty for handball following a VAR review.
But this time, Colombian Hernandez’s penalty was weak and Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender dived to his right to make the save.
MLS champions are determined by the winner of the MLS Cup playoffs — where Eastern Conference rivals Crewe and Miami could meet again.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is automatically generated by a syndicated channel.)
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