In a thrilling encounter, Inter Miami and Columbus Crew played to a 2-2 draw, with Brais Mendez's late equalizer overshadowing Lionel Messi's return to action. Despite Miami's strong start, they were unable to secure a victory, allowing the Crew to salvage a point.

Match Overview

Inter Miami took the lead early in the match when Luis Suarez scored a stunning long-range goal in the 16th minute. After Yannick Bright intercepted a pass from Andre Gomes, he set up Suarez, who executed a brilliant shot over the goalkeeper, Patrick Schulte. However, Miami's lead was short-lived as Casemiro, making his home debut, inadvertently turned in a low cross from Taha Habroune in the 34th minute, leveling the score.

Miami regained their advantage just before halftime, with Noah Allen scoring from a cross by Suarez during first-half stoppage time. The goal was confirmed after a VAR review, giving Miami a 2-1 lead at the break. Despite several chances in the second half, including a close-range opportunity for Suarez and a late header from Messi, Miami could not extend their lead.

Mendez's Late Heroics

As the match approached its conclusion, Mendez, who recently joined Columbus from Real Sociedad, made his mark by scoring a well-placed free-kick that found the bottom-left corner in the 84th minute. This goal not only marked his debut goal for Columbus but also ensured that the Crew left with a point.

Miami entered the match with a club-record six-game winning streak, but the Crew's resilience prevented them from claiming all three points. Suarez continued to shine, contributing significantly with four goals and one assist in the last three games since the World Cup break. Meanwhile, Messi, who came off the bench in the 53rd minute, registered a team-high four shots but was unable to find the back of the net.

Despite the draw, Miami outperformed Columbus in terms of expected goals, recording 1.24 xG compared to the Crew's 0.71. The match showcased both teams' determination, but ultimately, Mendez's late equalizer ensured the points were shared.