Lionel Messi delivered a vintage performance on Saturday night, scoring twice and assisting two more as Inter Miami dismantled Columbus Crew 5-1 in a high-octane MLS clash. The emphatic win comes just two weeks before Miami’s anticipated debut at the FIFA Club World Cup, where they will face African champions Al Ahly on June 14.
After a shaky run of form, Miami seems to have rediscovered their rhythm, having also defeated CF Montréal 4-2 earlier in the week. Messi, alongside long-time teammate Luis Suárez, once again orchestrated the attack with clinical precision, helping the side gain crucial momentum ahead of their international challenge.
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The Argentine maestro began his evening by setting up Tadeo Allende for the opener in the 13th minute, splitting the Columbus defence with a trademark lofted through ball. Just moments later, Messi capitalized on a costly error by stand-in goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen, whose poor clearance fell straight to him, Messi chipped the ball over, and despite a desperate touch from Hagen, it found the net for 2-0.
Ten minutes later, Messi made it 3-0 with a classic run and lob, after Sergio Busquets found him with a sharp aerial pass, catching Columbus’s backline completely off guard. The visitors pulled one back in the second half with a strong header from Cesar Ruvalcaba, but any hopes of a comeback were dashed minutes later.
Messi turned provider again, slicing open the midfield before feeding Telasco Segovia, who set up Luis Suárez to make it 4-1. The final blow came via substitute Fafa Picault, whose cool finish followed another clever assist from Messi, sealing a dominant performance for the Eastern Conference side.
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As Messi now departs for Argentina’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia, Inter Miami will hope their talisman returns in top form. With confidence restored and a tactical spark reignited under manager Javier Mascherano, Miami now shifts its focus to global competition with eyes firmly set on a strong Club World Cup campaign.
