Messi scores, but Columbus beats Inter Miami 2-1

Inter Miami lost 2-1 to Columbus Crew after Lionel Messi’s direct free kick briefly drew the teams level and Jamal Thiare scored a late stoppage-time winner for Columbus in their MLS match on September 27. The result left Inter Miami third in the Eastern Conference with 46 points, according to post-match reports. Josef Martínez put Columbus ahead from the penalty spot in the 28th minute after being brought down in the box. Messi equalized five minutes later, curling a left-footed shot directly into the far side of the goal from a free kick on the right side of the penalty area. The position appeared suited to a cross, but Messi shot instead. The strike was reported as Messi’s 76th direct free-kick goal across club and international football. Reports said that total placed him two short of the 78-goal mark attributed to retired Brazilian midfielder Marcelinho Carioca. The match accounts do not establish whether both tallies use identical counting criteria. Columbus secured the win in stoppage time. Thiare, a substitute, scored after a shot by Brais Mendez was spilled by Inter Miami goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo.