After a worrying dip in form, Inter Miami delivered a commanding reminder of their attacking firepower with back-to-back MLS wins—culminating in a devastating 5–1 demolition of the Columbus Crew. This emphatic result comes just days before Miami is set to open the new FIFA international club tournament on June 14 against Egyptian giants Al Ahly, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
With tensions mounting around head coach Javier Mascherano following inconsistent performances and questions over squad balance, this week brought not just wins—but a resurgence in identity, cohesion, and confidence. And at the heart of it all, as ever, stood Lionel Messi.
Messi and Suarez Show Flashbacks of Barcelona Magic
In midweek, Miami beat Montreal 4–2 thanks to two goals apiece from Messi and Luis Suarez, hinting that the old connection between the former Barcelona legends still had life. But their performance against Columbus on the weekend raised the bar even further.
Facing a Columbus side that had been one of MLS’s most consistent teams over the past three seasons, Miami didn’t just win—they dismantled them. The visitors looked shell-shocked early, as Messi and his supporting cast found space, rhythm, and ruthlessness.
Clinical from the Start
The scoring began in the 13th minute when Tadeo Allende latched onto a brilliant lofted pass from Messi, who had dropped deep into midfield. Allende calmly finished, and before Columbus could reset, disaster struck again.
Just two minutes later, Nicholas Hagen, Columbus’s Guatemalan backup goalkeeper filling in for the injured Patrick Schulte, made a catastrophic mistake. Attempting to play out from the back under pressure, Hagen passed the ball straight to Messi. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner chipped the keeper, whose scrambling save attempt only helped the ball loop into the net.
In the 24th minute, it was déjà vu. Sergio Busquets, ever the conductor, caught the Columbus defense napping with a clever lobbed ball. Messi pounced again, this time lobbing the advancing Hagen to make it 3–0. With less than half an hour gone, Miami had effectively sealed the game.
Columbus Strike, but Miami Roars Again
Columbus found a brief reprieve when Cesar Ruvalcaba powered in a header in the 58th minute to pull one back. But any hopes of a comeback were extinguished just six minutes later. A surging Messi run sliced open the midfield, before he fed Telasco Segovia, who teed up Luis Suarez for a clinical low finish.
Messi would have the final say again, threading a perfect through-ball for substitute Fafa Picault, who sprinted clear and buried the fifth.
Looking Ahead: Miami vs Al Ahly on June 14
The timing of this rejuvenation couldn’t be more crucial. Miami now shifts focus to a historic international stage, where they’ll face African champions Al Ahly in the inaugural match of the new FIFA Club World Championship format on June 14.
Their attacking trio—Messi, Suarez, and Allende—seem in sync, and with depth from players like Segovia and Picault, Miami suddenly looks like a serious contender.
For now, Messi departs for Argentina, who are already qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He will feature in CONMEBOL qualifiers against Chile (June 6) and Colombia (June 10) before rejoining Miami for the international club tournament.
Final Thoughts
In the span of two games, Miami has gone from a side under pressure to one that once again looks capable of brilliance. Whether this momentum carries through to the global stage remains to be seen—but with Messi at the heart of it.
