World · Malaysia Bureau
Messi goal not enough as Inter Miami fall to Columbus Crew
Lionel Messi scored but could not prevent Inter Miami from suffering a 2-1 defeat to Columbus Crew. The loss leaves the Florida side 14 points adrift of Eastern Conference leaders Nashville.
LSN Malaysia ·
Inter Miami's hopes of closing the gap on top-placed Nashville suffered a setback on Wednesday with their defeat to Columbus Crew, despite Messi finding the back of the net.
The Argentine superstar's equaliser pulled Miami level during the encounter, but the hosts could not hold on as Columbus secured a 2-1 victory. The result proved costly for Miami's Eastern Conference title ambitions, extending their deficit to 14 points behind Nashville.
The loss represents a missed opportunity for Miami to consolidate their position in the standings and apply pressure on the conference leaders. Columbus's victory bolsters their own playoff credentials and marks a significant scalp in their campaign.
Messi's continued goalscoring form provides encouragement for Inter Miami, but the team will need to improve their defensive resilience if they are to mount a sustained challenge for conference honours in the coming weeks.