Lionel Messi scored twice and put up two assists as Inter Miami picked up their largest win of the 2025 MLS regular season over the Columbus Crew at Chase Stadium.
Miami did not take long to get on the scoreboard, with Messi setting up Tadeo Allende in the 13th minute to make it 1–0 on Allende’s fourth goal in five matches. Minutes later, a giveaway from Columbus goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen set Messi up for his first goal of the night, giving Miami the 2-0 lead in 15 minutes.
Messi added a second goal in the 24th minute, before Luis Suárez and Fafa Picault scored to wrap up the dominant victory for the Herons in what was their final MLS match ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup.
The win moved Miami up to third in the Eastern Conference with 29 points in 16 games, only trailing the Philadelphia Union and FC Cincinnati, while Messi’s standout performance helped him earn another individual record.
Sports Illustrated takes a look at three takeaways from the matchup.
