Inter Miami continues its steady run in Major League Soccer (MLS) and last night demonstrated its footballing prowess with a resounding 5-1 rout of Columbus Crew in Matchday 16 of the tournament. The South Florida team, led by Javier Mascherano, featured a stellar performance from Lionel Messi, who scored two goals, provided an assist, and was the centerpiece of a victory that moves them into third place in the Eastern Conference.
The “Garzas” dominated the game from the start. Just 13 minutes in, Tadeo Allende opened the scoring after a precise assist from the Argentine star. Just two minutes later, Messi extended the lead with a left-footed shot from outside the box that left the opposing goalkeeper speechless. The offensive onslaught continued, and in the 24th minute, the Argentine captain found the net again after a superb combination with Sergio Busquets, consolidating a 3-0 lead that exposed the visiting team’s defensive weaknesses.
Columbus Crew managed to pull one back in the second half thanks to César Ruvalcaba, who found a gap in the home defense. However, the comeback was short-lived: 19 minutes into the second half, Luis Suárez, following a great team play initiated by Telasco Segovia, scored Inter Miami’s fourth goal.
The Uruguayan forward, although imprecise in some finishing, was very involved and once again linked up with Messi smoothly, reminiscent of his best days with Barcelona. Late in the match, Fafá Picault sealed the victory with a powerful shot from outside the box after a counterattack led by Messi, who once again played a key role in building the attack.
With the game wrapped up, Mascherano decided to spare his key players and rotated a large portion of the squad. Even with the substitutions, Inter Miami didn’t lose control or intensity, demonstrating depth and a solid team performance.
The Columbus Crew, which was coming in with good results, was outclassed from start to finish, both physically and tactically. The home team’s precision, their attacking speed, and the individual imbalance of their key players tipped the balance without question.
With this victory, Inter Miami reached 29 points and sits third in the Eastern Conference, having played one game less than their main competitors. Meanwhile, Columbus dropped to fifth place with 28 points.
The Pinks remain excited about the title fight and, with Messi at his best, are consolidating their position as one of the MLS’s top contenders.
