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Columbus Crew defeats Inter Miami 2-1 with stoppage-time goal; Messi scores 76th career free kick
Columbus Crew defeated Inter Miami 2-1 on Sunday with a stoppage-time goal from Jamal Thiaré. Lionel Messi equalized with his 76th career free kick in the 33rd minute, but it proved insufficient as Josef Martínez opened the scoring from the penalty spot for Columbus.
Quick Facts
- Columbus Crew defeated Inter Miami
- Josef Martínez scored from penalty spot
- Lionel Messi scored free kick equalizer
- Jamal Thiaré scored winning goal from rebound
- Brais Méndez's shot parried by goalkeeper
Related Insights
Columbus Crew defeated Inter Miami 2-1 in the final minute of the match Fútbol Visión Perú · YouTube
Columbus Crew secured a 2-1 victory over Inter Miami on Sunday night in Major League Soccer's 2026 regular season, with Jamal Thiaré scoring the decisive goal in the ninth minute of stoppage time. The match saw three goals across its duration: Josef Martínez opened the scoring for Columbus from the penalty spot in the 28th minute after defender Yannick Bright fouled him in the box, five minutes later Lionel Messi equalized with a curling free kick from near the right corner in the 33rd minute, and Thiaré converted a rebound after Brais Méndez's shot was parried by goalkeeper Patrick Schulte.
Messi's free kick was his 76th career free kick goal, moving him closer to the all-time record of 78 held by former Brazilian player Marcelinho Carioca. The Argentine superstar, aged 39, currently leads MLS in goals (21) and assists (13, tied with four others) for the season. Despite his equalizer, Messi could not prevent Miami's loss. The Herons were also affected by a red card shown to Santiago Morales in the second half of stoppage time.
Columbus dominated possession and chance creation, holding 46 percent possession but outshootings Miami 14-5 overall and 7-3 on target. Goalkeeper Patrick Schulte made two saves for the Crew, while Rocco Ríos Novo recorded five saves for Miami. Martínez, signed by Columbus on August 13, scored on his debut for the club. The loss leaves Miami trailing Eastern Conference leaders Nashville by 14 points with seven regular season games remaining. Columbus, meanwhile, sits in 12th place on 29 points, four points outside the playoff positions.
Topics
Why This Matters
Columbus advances in MLS Eastern Conference standings with the victory while Miami remains 14 points behind Nashville with seven regular season matches remaining. Messi continues pursuit of the all-time free kick record (78) and maintains league-leading goal tally (21), but the result demonstrates playoff positioning remains competitive in the conference.
Timeline & Sources
Sep 28, 2026
WireMatch between Columbus Crew and Inter Miami begins
Related Signals
Sources
- Inter Miami Crew Thiare Josef Martinez Messi C0ccd1ae7a6bd7e031c6bc794337af75apWireSep 28, 2026
- Miami Crew Score Leo Messi 650923b1dfbb899a31462eade4538178apWireSep 28, 2026
- Video: Lionel Messi strikes precision free-kick equalizer for Inter Miami against Columbus CrewWorld Soccer TalkMediaSep 28, 2026
- Video: Lionel Messi scores 76th career free kick goal for Inter Miami vs Columbus Crew and has record in sightBolavip USMediaSep 27, 2026
- Messi on target again but Miami downed by ColumbusYahooMediaSep 28, 2026
- Jamal Thiaré scores in 9th minute of stoppage time, Crew beats Inter Miami and Leo Messi 2-1WRALMediaSep 28, 2026
- Jamal Thiaré scores in 9th minute of stoppage time, Crew beats Inter Miami and Leo Messi 2-1Times UnionMediaSep 28, 2026