Columbus Crew beat Inter Miami 2-1 on Sunday night after Jamal Thiare scored in the ninth minute of stoppage time. It was the Crew’s first MLS win over Miami since August 2022.

Josef Martinez opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 28th minute after Yannick Bright dragged him down in the box. It was Martinez’s first goal for Columbus.

Lionel Messi levelled in the 33rd minute with a curling free kick from a tight angle. The strike was his 21st goal of the MLS season, keeping him atop the league’s scoring chart.

Miami’s Santiago Morales was sent off late in stoppage time after collecting two yellow cards within minutes. Moments later, Brais Mendez’s shot was parried by Rocco Rios Novo and Thiare slammed home the rebound.

Miami have just one win in their last 10 games, sitting third in the Eastern Conference. Columbus remain outside the playoff spots with seven matches left.

Why it matters: Miami’s slump deepens just as the playoff race tightens, while Columbus keep their postseason hopes alive.