Lionel Messi scores a stunning free kick for Inter Miami
The legendary Argentine star Lionel Messi once again left football fans in awe with a magnificent free kick in Major League Soccer, though it was not enough to secure a positive result. Playing Sunday with the American franchise of Inter Miami, the veteran forward found the top corner from an extremely tight angle against the Columbus Crew. Despite this brilliant individual effort marking his 21st goal of the season, his team ultimately fell short in a dramatic 2-1 defeat decided during stoppage time.
A spectacular MLS encounter in Columbus
The fixture delivered intense entertainment for football supporters following North American soccer. Columbus Crew initially opened the scoring in the 28th minute through a penalty converted by Josef Martinez, following an infringement involving Casemiro. However, the response from the Florida-based team was swift. Just minutes later, in the 33rd minute, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner stepped up on the right side and curled a mesmerizing left-footed shot past goalkeeper Patrick Schulte, who despite his impressive height of 1.93 meters could not prevent the ball from finding the net.
Late drama and Moroccan presence on the pitch
Throughout the match, the intensity remained high with notable moments involving various international players. The Moroccan attacking midfielder Anass Zaroury notably struck the woodwork three times, highlighting the offensive threat of the home side. Ultimately, the decisive moment arrived in the 98th minute when substitute Jamal Thiaré capitalized on a rebound allowed by the opposing goalkeeper to seal the victory for Columbus. Meanwhile, Inter Miami extended their winless run in the league to five consecutive matches, recording one defeat and four draws, while holding onto third place in the Eastern Conference.
Upcoming international farewell
With his latest performance, the current top scorer of the championship brings his career tally of direct free kicks to 76, including his 12th for Inter Miami and 6th of the current campaign. Following this club fixture, the iconic playmaker prepares for a monumental personal milestone. He is set to travel back to South America for the final appearance of his illustrious international career with the Argentina national selection. The legendary forward will bid farewell to supporters at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires during an upcoming friendly match against Benin scheduled for October 6.
Photo : Bryan Berlin — CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
