Defeat for Inter Miami at the hands of Columbus Crew

Columbus Crew 2 – 1 Inter Miami

COLUMBUS, OH–Inter Miami’s chances of closing the gap at the top of the table were dealt a significant blow when they tasted defeat against Columbus Crew.

Miami have been plagued by conceding late goals from winning positions, and this was a similar story. Although this time, the scores were level, making Jamal Thiare’s strike all the more painful.

It was an exciting, hot-tempered game that was end to end at times, but the home side had more possession as they looked to make an early impact, putting Miami and Lionel Messi on the back foot.

The Herons normally enjoy the lion’s share of the ball, but they had to play second fiddle as Columbus took control.

Rocco Rios Novo was recalled in the absence of Dayne St. Clair who, like many players was away on international duty, and the keeper had an error strewn performance that ultimately cost his side late on.

Miami have been somewhat hamstrung with recent injuries and now the international program has depleted them further still.

Anass Zaroury was a livewire throughout the game, and he sent a warning shot across the bows inside ten minutes with a delightful curling shot that struck the woodwork.

And that early pressure told when Yannick Bright gave away a penalty when he wrestled Martinez to the ground. Bright shook his head, but he clearly used both arms to hold the player.

Josef Martinez stepped up to convert the strike. Messi and Casemiro continued to argue the case with the referee, with the latter getting a yellow card for his remonstration.

Miami were clearly rattled by the decision and continued to show their dissatisfaction, but they answered in the best possible way

A free kick from a tight angle on the edge of the area was another set piece for Miami and with everyone anticipating a headed opportunity, Messi floated the ball over everyone and into the net to level the game.

While Messi enjoyed the moment, and rightly so, you have to question the goalkeeping.  Patrick Schulte came off his line and could only flap at the ball as it arced over him and his outstretched hand.

Columbus stepped up the intensity soon after the goal and put Miami under some considerable pressure, but they held firm and managed to get to the break on level terms.

Zaroury nearly set the second half alight with another delightful long-range effort that crashed against the cross bar and down onto the goal line before bouncing out.

Messi continues to be Miami’s most potent threat, and whenever he got the ball he made something happen, but his goal was the side’s only shot in the first half.

The Inter captain did test Schulte in the second half with a great run and shot that had the Columbus keeper at full stretch.

Substitute David Ayala had the ball in the net, but he was fractionally offside and the goal was ruled out, as the Herons started to impose themselves in the second half.

Both teams needed to win, and it showed as they continued to attack the opposition’s goal and search for a winner.

Substitute Santiago Morales was shown a red card late for two cheap yellow cards, making the remaining few minutes harder still for his side.

Zaroury hit the woodwork for the third time with a rasping strike, but with both sides locked at a goal apiece the scene was set for a dramatic winner, and Columbus provided it to send the home fans into hysteria.

Brais Mendez shot from distance and the bouncing ball hit Rios Novo on the chest and out to Thiare who got a foot on it to win the game for his side.

It was a harsh outcome for Miami who had worked hard defensively. But Columbus will feel they deserved the win, and it would be hard to argue against that as they dominated the game and restricted Miami to a handful of shots on target.

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