Lionel Messi scored a free-kick as Inter Miami suffered a 2-1 defeat against Columbus Crew.
Jamal Thiare’s stoppage-time winner sealed a 2-1 victory for Columbus Crew, leaving Inter Miami 14 points behind Eastern Conference leaders Nashville.
Lionel Messi scored his 21st goal of the Major League Soccer regular season, but Inter Miami fell to a 2-1 defeat against Columbus Crew on Sunday after conceding deep into stoppage time.
The Argentina star brought Miami level with a curling free-kick in the 33rd minute, cancelling out Josef Martinez’s penalty. However, substitute Jamal Thiare delivered the decisive finish late in the contest to give Columbus all three points.
The result further weakened Miami’s hopes of closing the gap on Eastern Conference leaders Nashville. With seven regular-season matches remaining, Miami are 14 points off the top, while Columbus strengthened their pursuit of a playoff position.
Messi responds to Columbus opener
Columbus took the lead in the 28th minute when Martinez converted from the penalty spot, putting the hosts ahead before Messi produced a swift response.
Just five minutes later, Messi curled his free-kick into the net to draw Miami level and quieten the home crowd. The goal added to his regular-season tally, but Columbus resisted Miami’s attempts to turn the equaliser into a platform for victory.
Messi came close to scoring again in the 62nd minute. He drove forward and fired towards goal, forcing Columbus goalkeeper Patrick Schulte to tip his effort over the bar.
Disallowed goal and woodwork keep scores level
Miami appeared to have completed the turnaround shortly afterwards through substitute David Ayala. Having broken beyond the Columbus defensive line, Ayala beat Schulte with a powerful near-post finish.
His celebration was cut short, however, as the effort was disallowed for a narrow offside. That decision kept the sides level and denied Miami a lead they had been pushing to secure.
Columbus also carried a threat at the other end. Their new Moroccan signing, Anass Zaroury, struck the woodwork twice as the hosts searched for a second goal of their own.
One of Zaroury’s attempts was an impressive long-range strike that hit the underside of the crossbar. With neither side able to find a valid second goal, the match appeared set to finish level.
Thiare settles contest in stoppage time
The decisive moment arrived deep into added time when Brais Mendez curled a shot towards goal from the edge of the penalty area. Miami goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo could not hold the effort, leaving a close-range opportunity.
Senegalese substitute Thiare reacted first and drove the loose ball home, securing a late victory for Columbus and leaving Miami without a point despite Messi’s contribution.
Columbus remain 12th in the Eastern Conference on 29 points, four points outside the postseason places. The victory keeps them in contention for a playoff berth.
For Miami, the late setback leaves an already difficult chase looking more challenging. Their remaining seven fixtures offer limited room to make up the 14-point deficit to Nashville after a match in which an equaliser, a saved Messi effort and a disallowed Ayala goal ultimately brought no reward.
