Lionel Messi scored twice as Inter Miami beat the Columbus Crew 3-2 to win the MLS Supporters’ Shield for the first time in its history.
Messi scored the first goal of the game on the stroke of half-time, before doubling his side’s lead with a superb free-kick five minutes into added time before the break.
Columbus pulled one back immediately after the restart through Diego Rossi, but Messi’s old friend Luis Suarez responded immediately with a header to put the game beyond Columbus, who saw Juan Hernandez score a penalty on the hour before going down to ten men when Rudy Camacho received two yellow cards.
For Miami, it is his first piece MLS silver, having won the inaugural League Cup in 2023.
“I’m happy,” Messiah reflected in Apple TV. “Glad we did.
Don Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini. pic.twitter.com/cSXGNiCzos
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) October 3, 2024
“We knew at the beginning of the year that this was a group to fight for. We took charge from the start, we had the players to do it. I’m happy to get the first goal, and we’re thinking about the next one.
“I think that since the arrival of (coach) Gerardo Martino and us (Jordi Alba, Suárez and Sergio Busquets), the idea was clear to be the protagonist and chase the ball, have the ball and possession. Important players arrived to grow the team in terms of the game and the personality. We try to compete in every game.”
Martino added: “I’ve been here for a year, I’m happy to have been able to win two titles with (Messi).”
