Messi Magic Meets Crew Drama in Unforgettable Night in Columbus

COLUMBUS, Ohio — It was one of those nights that reminded everyone just how special soccer can be. A record crowd of 21,188 packed ScottsMiracle-Gro Field Sunday night to watch the Columbus Crew battle Inter Miami, with thousands arriving for an opportunity to see one of the greatest players to ever touch a soccer ball — Lionel Messi. They got their Messi moment. They also got a Columbus Crew victory.

The Crew stunned Inter Miami 2-1 in dramatic fashion, with substitute Jamal Thiaré scoring deep into second-half stoppage time to send the Columbus crowd into a frenzy and give the Black & Gold three enormous points.

The atmosphere surrounding the match felt different long before kickoff. Messi jerseys were seemingly everywhere — the pink of Inter Miami mixed with the famous blue and white stripes of Argentina — as supporters packed the stadium hoping to catch a glimpse of the living legend.

For Columbus soccer fans, Messi’s appearance also carried some added significance.

Messi previously played at the Crew’s current home in October 2024, scoring twice as Miami defeated Columbus 3-2. But last season’s highly anticipated Crew home match against Miami was moved approximately 130 miles north to Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland in an attempt to accommodate a much larger crowd.

That decision sparked controversy among Columbus supporters, some of whom felt one of the biggest matches on the schedule belonged in Columbus.

On Sunday night, Messi was back where Crew fans wanted this matchup to be — in the heart of Columbus.

The Crew struck first in the 28th minute. After video review resulted in a penalty, former Inter Miami star Josef Martínez stepped to the spot and converted to give Columbus a 1-0 advantage.

But when Lionel Messi is on the other side, a one-goal lead never feels comfortable. Just five minutes later, Messi produced the moment so many in attendance had been waiting to see.

From an extremely difficult angle on the right side, Messi stood over a free kick and unleashed a beautiful left-footed shot. The ball curved through the air, sailed beyond the reach of Crew goalkeeper Patrick Schulte and found the net. 1-1. It was vintage Messi.

For a few seconds, team allegiances almost seemed secondary. Thousands of phones went into the air and the stadium erupted as the 39-year-old superstar provided another addition to a career filled with spectacular goals. It was Messi’s 21st MLS goal of the season.

The Crew, however, weren’t interested in becoming a footnote in another Messi highlight reel. Columbus continued attacking and finished the match with a commanding 14-5 advantage in total shots and a 7-3 edge in shots on target despite Miami holding slightly more possession.

The match became increasingly physical as the night continued, and Miami was reduced to 10 men late in stoppage time when Santiago Morales received his second yellow card.

Then came the moment Crew supporters will remember. With the match appearing destined to finish 1-1, Brais Méndez fired a shot toward goal. Miami goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo made the initial stop but couldn’t control the rebound. Thiaré was there. The Crew substitute pounced on the loose ball and buried it in the 98th minute.

Crew 2, Inter Miami 1. ScottsMiracle-Gro Field exploded. It was the perfect ending to a night that felt bigger than an ordinary regular-season match. The world’s most famous soccer player delivered a spectacular goal, and the home team still found a way to walk away victorious.

Miami finished with 54.5 percent of the possession, but Columbus generated far more opportunities. The Crew recorded 14 shots to Miami’s five and nine corner kicks compared with just one for the visitors. More importantly, Columbus got the three points.

For many of the 21,188 people inside the stadium, however, Sunday night will be remembered for more than numbers or standings.

Parents brought their children to see Messi. Fans filled the stands wearing his Argentina and Inter Miami No. 10 jerseys. Crew supporters packed their home stadium hoping to see their club knock off one of MLS’s biggest attractions. Everybody seemed to get something.

Messi gave Columbus a little bit of his magic.

Thiaré gave Columbus the victory. And more than 21,000 fans gave the night an atmosphere worthy of the occasion. What a night. What a finish. And what a fun night for soccer in Columbus.