Lionel Messi delivered another masterclass performance on Saturday night, scoring twice and assisting twice in Inter Miami’s dominant 5-1 victory over the Columbus Crew at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
Lluvia de goles en Miami pic.twitter.com/P8YklB3xGm
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) June 1, 2025
The match, which was 'even' in the preview and in the Eastern Conference standings, was perhaps the most one-sided result in this weekend's Major League Soccer matchday, with Inter Miami now giving a glimpse of their form from last season.
Inter Miami were to make a difference on the scoreboard early in the game, with Messi orchestrating a brilliant set-piece routine that found Tadeo Allende, who slotted home to give the hosts an early lead.
Quick ball over the top from Messi, quality finish from Allende. ⚡️@InterMiamiCF strike first!
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 31, 2025
Watch: Lionel Messi goals vs. Columbus Crew
Just minutes later, Messi pounced on a poor clearance from Columbus goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen, lobbing the Guatemalan shot-stopper from outside the box with his trademark finesse to double Miami’s advantage.
Can't give Leo chances like this...
Messi doubles the Miami advantage. ✌️ pic.twitter.com/g7RI6Z6kiH— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 1, 2025
Struggling to recover from the early double blow, Columbus were again undone by Messi’s vision and timing. A long ball from Sergio Busquets found the 37-year-old forward onside, and Messi once more lifted the ball over Hagen to complete his brace and seal a convincing 3-0 win for the home side.
MESSI BRACE. @InterMiamiCF are cruising in the first half. pic.twitter.com/8gw3k45AaY
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 1, 2025
Columbus managed to pull one back after the break through substitute Cesar Ruvalcaba, who nodded in a well-placed header. But any hopes of a comeback were quickly dashed when Inter Miami responded with a beautifully worked tiki-taka build up inside the box, finished off by Luis Suárez with a clinical strike to the near post.
That's one back for @ColumbusCrew...
Cesar Ruvalcaba heads home from the corner.#MLSSeasonPass or Apple TV+: https://t.co/nV9onPuwdx pic.twitter.com/bQmEApXS4b
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 1, 2025
A sweet team move from @InterMiamiCF.
Luis Suárez makes it FOUR in South Florida. pic.twitter.com/14krmZXz8C— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 1, 2025
Lionel Messi, however, would not take his foot off the gas pedal, setting up Fafa Picault with a beautiful 30-yard pass to make it 5-1. Cool finish from the Haitian.
Putting on a show in South Florida.
Messi to Picault and it’s 5-1 to the hosts. pic.twitter.com/imeVDInSSw— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 1, 2025
The result pushes Inter Miami ahead of the Crew in the Eastern Conference standings. Javier Mascherano’s team now sits in fourth place with 29 points, while Columbus continue their winless streak, which dates back to May 3.
