Thiare Stuns Messi’s Miami as Columbus Steal 2-1 Dramatic Win

Columbus Crew 2-1 Inter Miami: MLS Drama Unfolds

The Columbus Crew snatched victory from the jaws of a lion with a 98th-minute Jamal Thiare winner to edge Inter Miami 2-1 in a Major League Soccer thriller. Lionel Messi thought he’d rescued a point against the run of play, but Thiare’s late heroics sent Lower.com Field into raptures.

Miami’s Early Frustrations

Inter Miami started brightly with 56% first-half possession, yet it was the Crew who struck first. Josef Martínez converted a 28th-minute penalty after a VAR review confirmed Carlos Casemiro’s foul – the first of three yellow cards for the visitors before halftime.

Messi answered just five minutes later with a trademark clinical finish – his sixth goal in seven MLS appearances – capitalizing on a rare defensive lapse. The Argentine’s influence grew as Columbus racked up five first-half bookings trying to contain him.

The Crew’s Relentless Pressure

Despite Messi’s magic, the stats told a different story: Columbus unleashed 14 total shots (six on target) to Miami’s five. Goalkeeper Patrick Schulte made just two saves as the hosts dominated the second half, forcing Rocco Rios Novo into four crucial stops.

The tension boiled over in stoppage time when Miami substitute Santiago Morales saw red for a reckless challenge – the seventh combined booking – setting the stage for Thiare’s winner. The Guinean striker pounced in the eighth minute of added time before earning an immediate yellow for his wild celebration.

What This Means

This gritty win keeps Columbus in the Eastern Conference playoff hunt, while Miami’s title charge falters after a second straight defeat. The specter of Messi couldn’t save the Herons from their 44% possession collapse – their third road loss this season.

Both teams face crucial fixtures next: Columbus travels to Philadelphia Union, while Miami must regroup before hosting New York City FC – where anything less than three points could prove costly in this razor-tight Eastern Conference race.