Lionel Messi scores free kick as Inter Miami draw with Columbus Crew

Match Action at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field

The encounter began in difficult fashion for the visitors when Josef Martínez opened the scoring for Columbus Crew from a penalty kick at the 28th minute. Just five minutes later, Lionel Messi leveled the score at 1-1 by bending a direct free-kick past the defensive wall and into the net. The fixture marked the team’s first away outing since Cristian Kily González took over managerial duties. Inter Miami entered the match holding 46 points through 12 victories, 10 draws, and four defeats in the ongoing campaign. The Florida club’s recent run featured four consecutive league stalemates, including a 2-2 result against Atlanta United, a 1-1 draw with Chicago Fire, and additional 2-2 draws facing Nashville SC and San Diego FC. Meanwhile, Columbus Crew entered the contest with 26 points in the Eastern Conference, looking to climb back toward the post-season qualification positions following a 2-0 away victory against CF Montréal under coach Laurent Courtois.

Squad Preparations Ahead of International Window

The fixture in Ohio carried implications for both club standings and upcoming international commitments. Both Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul suited up for Inter Miami in Columbus to play their final club match before joining the Argentina national team squad for an upcoming international window that includes a farewell fixture for the team captain. Inter Miami’s roster for the match featured Ríos Novo in goal, alongside a backline of Gonzalo Luján, Micael, Casemiro, and Facundo Mura. The midfield and attack deployed Rodrigo De Paul, Yannick Bright, Sergio Reguilón, Luis Suárez, Daniel Pinter, and Messi. Columbus Crew lined up with Patrick Schulte defending the net behind Mohamed Farsi, Sean Zawadzki, Eric Bailly, and Malte Amundsen, with Taha Habroune, Dylan Chambost, Anass Zaroury, Brais Méndez, Santiago Rodríguez, and former Inter Miami forward Josef Martínez rounding out the starting lineup.