Jamal Thiare’s 90th-Minute Goal Gives Columbus Crew a 2-1 Win

Columbus strike first from the spot

Columbus Crew defeated Inter Miami 2-1 at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, with Columbus the winner after a 1-1 half-time score. The opening goal arrived in the 28th minute, when Josef Martínez converted a penalty to make it 1-0. The lead lasted five minutes. In the 33rd minute, Lionel Messi scored a normal goal for Inter Miami, bringing the running score to 1-1.

The early exchange reflected an even contest on the scoreboard, but the first goal came from Columbus's penalty opportunity. Inter Miami responded quickly through Messi, who finished the match with a rating of 8.2, one goal, two shots on target and two key passes in 90 minutes.

Columbus created the clearer shooting threat

Inter Miami had 56% possession and completed 464 accurate passes from 523 total passes, compared with Columbus's 344 accurate passes from 390 total passes. That control did not translate into a higher shot total. Columbus recorded 14 total shots to Inter Miami's five, including six shots on goal to Inter Miami's three. Columbus also had nine corner kicks, while Inter Miami had one.

Those figures suggest Columbus posed the more direct attacking threat despite having less of the ball. The hosts registered six shots inside the box and eight outside it; Inter Miami recorded two inside the box and three outside it. Inter Miami goalkeeper R. Ríos Novo made four saves, while Columbus goalkeeper R. Ríos Novo was not listed among the Columbus performers; the supplied goalkeeper statistics record two saves for Columbus and four for Inter Miami. Columbus's M. Amundsen completed 90 minutes and supplied one key pass, while the defensive effort also limited Inter Miami to five total shots.

Thiare delivers the decisive moment

The final turning point came in the 90th minute. Jamal Thiare scored a normal goal for Columbus Crew to make the score 2-1, which was the last goal listed. Thiare had replaced Josef Martínez in the 83rd minute and finished with a rating of 7.4, one shot on target and seven minutes played. On the supplied events, his late finish converted Columbus's greater shot volume into the winning margin.

Discipline added to the closing pressure. Both teams received five yellow cards, but Inter Miami also had one red card. Santiago Morales was booked and then shown a red card in the 90th minute. The match ended with Columbus ahead, despite Inter Miami's possession advantage.

Result changes the table picture

Columbus remain ranked #14 in the Eastern Conference with 26 points from 26 games, while Inter Miami remain ranked #3 in that table with 46 points from 26 games. Inter Miami are 20 points ahead of Columbus Crew, and Nashville SC lead the Eastern Conference with 60 points; Columbus trail the leader by 34 points and Inter Miami by 14 points. The result gives Columbus a win after their listed pre-match sequence ended with two wins, while Inter Miami's listed sequence began with a loss.