Lionel Messi shone once again, ending Inter Miami’s recent slump in the middle of the season. He scored for the fifth time in three Major League Soccer matches and helped his team defeat Columbus Crew 5-1 on Saturday evening, securing a second consecutive win.
Messi was involved in all five of Inter Miami’s goals. He scored twice— in the 15th and 24th minutes—bringing his season total to 10 goals, more than any other player on the team and third-highest in MLS. He assisted Tadeo Allende’s goal in the 13th minute, Fafà Picault’s goal in the 89th, and also contributed to Luis Suárez’s goal in the 64th.
This was the second consecutive match in which the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner registered at least two goals and one assist. He has a total of 16 goal contributions this season—more than any other player in the league.
“We see it every match; it’s always the same,” said coach Javier Mascherano through a translator. “We try to support him as much as possible. He’s clearly the best player in history. When he’s not brilliant, it means one of us has failed. That’s the truth.”
Miami started the match aggressively, registering seven shots—four on target—in the first 25 minutes against a Columbus side known for strong defense. Before this match, they had conceded only 19 goals in the league.
Allende opened the scoring after a long pass from Messi. Minutes later, Messi capitalized on a mistake by goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen and scored, even though Hagen managed to get a touch on the ball.
For Messi’s second goal, Sergio Busquets delivered a long pass to his former teammate, who scored with ease.
This win was crucial for Inter Miami, who had only two victories in their previous eight matches and were in sixth place in the Eastern Conference. After the 4-2 win over Montreal on Wednesday, the triumph over Columbus brought them to 29 points, moving up to third place.
“Winning like this gives us confidence,” said Mascherano. “It shows we are bold and calm, and that we can play against anyone, especially in MLS. The tournament (Club World Cup) is a different story. There, the rivals are on another level.”
Inter Miami will face Al Ahly of Egypt on June 14 at Hard Rock Stadium. Before that, Messi will join Argentina’s national team for the World Cup qualifiers against Chile on June 5 and Colombia on June 10.
Columbus narrowed the gap to 3-1 in the 70th minute when Dylan Chambost assisted from a corner, and Cesar Ruvalcaba scored with a header past goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo, who replaced Oscar Ustari in the second half due to a foot issue.
Luis Suárez restored the three-goal lead with his second goal in as many matches, while Messi delivered the final assist to Picault in the closing minutes, sealing one of Inter Miami’s most dominant victories of the season.
The team played without defender Jordi Alba, who sustained an injury last weekend against Montreal.
