Overview
- Columbus Crew defeated Inter Miami 2-1 when Jamal Thiaré scored on a rebound in the ninth minute of stoppage time to seal the victory.
- Josef Martínez opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 28th minute and Lionel Messi equalized five minutes later with a near‑impossible free kick from a tight angle.
- Inter Miami went down to 10 men in stoppage time after Santiago Morales received a second yellow and was sent off, leaving Miami vulnerable to Columbus's late chance.
- The match, played before a crowd of 21,188 at ScottsMiracle‑Gro Field on Sept. 27, kept Columbus alive in the Eastern Conference race and left Miami on 46 points in third place.
- Messi played the full game and extended his MLS season totals with the free kick, but his individual milestone could not prevent a result that will force Miami to adjust its late‑season plans.