Columbus Crew won 2-1 against Inter Miami on Sunday after a late goal from Lionel Messi.
Lionel Messi scored a free kick from an improbable angle in the first half to seemingly give Miami a share of the points.
Columbus substitute Thiaré scored on the rebound after Miami goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo spilled a shot into his path.
Messi, 39, will play his final match in his national team when Argentina takes on Benin in an Oct. 6 friendly at Buenos Aires Monumental Stadium.
Columbus’s late drama overshadowed what was another memorable moment from Miami’s No. 10.
Messi, 33, scored his 12th direct free-kick goal for Miami in all competitions and sixth this season.
Messi had chances to add to that tally in the second half but was denied from distance by Columbus goalkeeper Patrick Schulte and put another effort into the side netting.
Miami trailed for just five minutes in the first half, falling behind when its former striker Josef Martínez converted a penalty after he was fouled in the area by Yannick Bright.
Columbus will likely feel the late win was justified after Anass Zaroury was denied by the woodwork on three separate occasions.
The result leaves Miami in third place in the Eastern Conference, level with New England Revolution and 14 points behind Nashville SC.
Columbus’s win could be significant for the team, taking them up to 12th in the East and keeping it in the playoff running.
Source: ESPN Soccer
