Lionel Messi scores 2 goals as Inter Miami secures MLS Supporters Shield.
Lionel Messi has secured another title for Inter Miami since he joined from Paris Saint-Germain.
06:25 - 29.09.2024
Video: Watch Lionel Messi score stunner for Inter Miami against Charlotte
Lionel Messi was the hero with a late equaliser to save Inter Miami from defeat against Charlotte.
Inter Miami Miami recorded a 2-3 away win against the Columbus Crew SC 3-2 thanks to two goals from Messi in what was perhaps the most thrilling match of the 2024 MLS season,
20:45 - 16.09.2024
Mbappe, Bellingham and Vinicius celebrate Champions League awards
Real Madrid stars Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, and Vinicius Junior celebrate Champions League awards.
The victory gave the Herons the Supporters Shield, which is given to the team that ends the Major League Baseball season with the most points.
Miami needed to win to guarantee their top spot in the league, but a Crew victory would have prevented Messi from taking home the championship for at least one more gameday.
Miami and Columbus traded blows in a matchup that did not disappoint as two of the best teams in the Eastern Conference faced off.
Columbus 2-3 Inter Miami
With a lobbed through ball from Jordi Alba, Messi was able to get behind the Crew defense and score the first goal of the match in the 45th minute.
In the last minute of additional time, Messi would ensure that his team had a dominating advantage going into the second half by converting a free kick for Miami to go up 2-0.
With the keeper looking on helplessly, the 37-year-old expertly curled the ball around the Columbus wall and into the near corner, freezing Schulte.
With a curling attempt only 20 seconds into the second half, Diego Rossi got Columbus back within a goal.
The celebration would not last long, though, as Miami's Luis Suarez would reply with a third goal just one minute later.
Cucho Hernandez's penalty kick into the bottom left corner of the net pulled Columbus within one.
Late in the game, Miami keeper Drake Callendar made one of his greatest saves to preserve the victory when there was a chance to equal the score at 3-3.
Messi's victory marked his 46th career championship and the second in Inter Miami history, following the South Florida team's Leagues Cup victory in July 2023.
Related content
07:45 - 22.01.2024
Ronaldo in China: Al-Nassr storm China to prepare for clash with Messi's Inter Miami
Ahead of the friendly against Inter Miami featuring Messi and Suarez, Ronaldo leads Al-Nassr teammates to China for friendly games.
17:10 - 23.01.2024
Ronaldo in China canceled: Al-Nassr friendlies postponed due to injury
Ronaldo's trip to China takes a bad turn as friendlies are postponed due to injury.
08:25 - 23.01.2024
Inter Miami 0-1 Dallas: Messi and Suarez struggle in 2nd pre-season game
In their 2nd pre-season game, Messi and Suarez struggle for Inter Miami against FC Dallas.
18:15 - 29.01.2024
Messi vs Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia: Inter Miami launch new jersey to debut against Al Nassr
Messi will launch the new Inter Miami kit when they take on Ronaldo's Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia.