“Luis Suárez opened the scoring for Inter Miami, converting an assist from Yannick Bright to give the hosts an early lead after Jamal Thiare had already tested the Columbus keeper in the 4th minute.”
Pivotal“Casemiro turned the ball into his own net to level the match at 1-1, a costly defensive error that came after Columbus had been probing with back-to-back shooting attempts from Allen and Thiare.”
Pivotal“Noah Allen struck right on the stroke of halftime to restore Miami's lead at 2-1, a gut-punch for Columbus heading into the break after they had fought hard to level.”
Pivotal“Brais Méndez, introduced as a substitute in the 62nd minute, levelled for Columbus with a left-footed finish in the 84th minute — just two minutes after Casemiro had been booked — to deny Miami the win and split the points.”
Pivotal
Inter Miami
Columbus Crew
Inter Miami looked set to bank all three points after a frenetic first half saw them lead 2-1 going into the break, but Columbus Crew refused to fold and were rewarded with a late Brais Méndez equalizer in the 84th minute. Miami drew first blood through Luis Suárez in the 16th minute, assisted by Yannick Bright, before an unfortunate Casemiro own goal levelled things up. Noah Allen then struck just before the whistle to restore Miami's advantage, but the second half told a different story entirely — Columbus dominated territorially with 60 dangerous attacks to Miami's 24, and despite Lionel Messi being withdrawn at the hour mark through substitution, the Crew kept pressing. Casemiro's yellow card in the 82nd minute preceded Méndez's equalizer two minutes later, capping a performance that, statistically, Columbus shaded but could only draw. For Miami, dropping points at home in a title-race context stings; for Columbus, a point snatched late from a deficit will feel like more than a share of the spoils.
How entertaining was this match?
Micael dos Santos Silva takes a right-footed shot but misses.
David Ayala takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Corner kick awarded.
Preston Plambeck is on, and Mateo Silvetti is off.
Brooks Lennon comes on for Jamal Thiare.
Brais MéndezBrais Mendez scores with a left-footed shot.
Goal! Brais Mendez scores, bringing the score to 2-2.
CasemiroYellow CardYellow card issued to Carlos Henrique Casimiro.
Brais Mendez takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Taha Habroune takes a right-footed shot but misses.
David Ayala comes on for Yannick Bright.
David Ayala replaces Yannick Bright.
Substitution: David Ruiz comes on for Facundo Mura.
Yellow card issued to Sekou Tidiany Bangoura.
Yellow card.
Hugo PicardLaurtaro Giaccone is on, and Hugo Picard is off.
Sekou Tidiany Bangoura takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Sekou Tidiany Bangoura takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Brais Mendez takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
Andre Filipe Tavares Gomes takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Brais Mendez comes on for Daniel Gazdag.
Sekou Tidiany Bangoura is on, and Dylan Chambost is off.
Lionel Andres Messi takes a left-footed shot but misses.
On comes Lionel Andres Messi, and off goes Daniel Pinter.
Lionel Andres Messi takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Luis Suarez takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
Corner awarded.
Jamal Thiare takes a right-footed shot but misses.
First half ends with a score of 2-1.
Goal! The score is now 2-1.
Noah AllenVAR decision confirms the goal for Noah Allen.
Goal! The score is now 2-1.
Offside.
Corner awarded.
CasemiroShot by Carlos Henrique Casimiro results in an own goal.
Goal! An own goal by Carlos Henrique Casimiro levels the score at 1-1.
Goal! The score is now 1-1.
Jamal Thiare takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Noah Allen takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Corner awarded.
Daniel Pinter takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Jamal Thiare takes a shot with his head, but it misses the target.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Luis Suarez takes a shot with his right foot and scores.
assist: Yannick Bright
Goal! Luis Suarez scores to make it 1-0, assisted by Yannick Bright.
Offside.
Jamal Thiare takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
Kick-off! The referee is Tori Penso.
Inter Miami host Columbus Crew at Chase Stadium on Saturday, riding a six-game winning streak and looking to cement their place among MLS's elite. With Messi suspended and several key attackers unavailable, Miami must prove their depth is real — while Columbus arrive inconsistent but dangerous enough to spoil the party.
Outstanding performance
Inter Miami•Attacker
