Inter Miami CF treated fans to a dazzling performance Saturday night at Chase Stadium, humbling the defending MLS Cup champions Columbus Crew in a commanding 5–1 victory. Lionel Messi once again stole the show, proving why he remains one of the most influential players in world football, even in MLS.
This result pushes Miami into third place in the Eastern Conference, and more importantly, builds serious momentum heading into the FIFA Club World Cup.
⚽ First-Half Fireworks: Messi Leads the Charge
Inter Miami wasted no time asserting their dominance. The first goal came in the 13th minute, with Argentine winger Tadeo Allende finishing off a beautiful move orchestrated by none other than Messi. It was a textbook example of Miami’s fluid attacking play — slick passes, clever movement, and clinical finishing.
Just two minutes later, Messi capitalized on a sloppy back pass from Columbus, slotting the ball calmly past the keeper. It was opportunistic and ruthless — classic Messi.
Then, in the 30th minute, Messi added another to his tally. A quick exchange with Luis Suárez and a lethal left-footed finish saw the Herons head into halftime with a commanding 3–0 lead.
⚔️ Columbus Tries to Fight Back
To their credit, Columbus Crew didn’t go down without a response. Midfielder César Ruvalcaba scored in the 58th minute, giving the visitors a glimmer of hope. But it was short-lived.
Luis Suárez responded just six minutes later, finishing off another clever Messi assist to make it 4–1. Messi wasn’t done yet. In the 89th minute, substitute Fafa Picault got in on the action, converting another Messi assist to complete the 5–1 rout.
🧠 Tactical Breakdown: Martino’s Plan Works to Perfection
Head coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino’s game plan was simple but effective — quick ball progression, high pressing, and allowing Messi and Suárez to exploit the defensive gaps. With Sergio Busquets anchoring the midfield and Jordi Alba stretching the field on the left, Miami looked fluid and dangerous every time they advanced into Columbus' half.
The Herons played with urgency, chemistry, and clinical finishing — all signs of a team peaking at the right time.
📋 Starting Lineups
Here’s a look at both teams' starting XIs from the match:
Inter Miami CF Starting XI:
-
Drake Callender (GK)
-
Jordi Alba (LB)
-
Tomás Avilés (CB)
-
Sergii Kryvtsov (CB)
-
Marcelo Weigandt (RB)
-
Sergio Busquets (CDM)
-
Julian Gressel (CM)
-
Tadeo Allende (LM)
-
Lionel Messi (C) (CAM)
-
Luis Suárez (ST)
-
Matías Rojas (RM)
Substitutes Used:
-
Fafa Picault
-
Benjamin Cremaschi
-
David Ruiz
-
Leonardo Campana
-
Noah Allen
Columbus Crew Starting XI:
-
Patrick Schulte (GK)
-
Steven Moreira (RB)
-
Malte Amundsen (CB)
-
Rudy Camacho (CB)
-
Will Sands (LB)
-
Aidan Morris (CM)
-
Darlington Nagbe (CM)
-
César Ruvalcaba (AM)
-
Diego Rossi (LW)
-
Cucho Hernández (ST)
-
Yaw Yeboah (RW)
Substitutes Used:
-
Jacen Russell-Rowe
-
Christian Ramírez
-
Sean Zawadzki
-
Mohamed Farsi
-
Philip Quinton
🏆 What This Win Means for Inter Miami
Inter Miami now sits third in the MLS Eastern Conference, just one point behind FC Cincinnati. But even more importantly, the chemistry between Messi and Suárez is hitting top gear just in time for their upcoming FIFA Club World Cup fixture against Al-Ahly on June 14.
This match sends a clear message: Inter Miami is not just a team of global superstars — they’re building something special.
📺 Match Highlights
Want to relive the action? Watch the full match highlights here:
🔗 Inter Miami vs Columbus Crew | Full Highlights
📣 Final Thoughts
Messi’s masterclass, Suárez’s finishing, and Martino’s tactics all clicked in what might be Inter Miami’s most complete performance of the season. With the Club World Cup on the horizon, Miami fans have plenty to be excited about.
No comments:
Post a Comment