Sports
Thiaré’s 99th-minute strike lifts Columbus past Messi and Miami
Jamal Thiaré scored in the ninth minute of stoppage time to give the Crew a 2-1 win over Inter Miami on Sunday. Josef Martínez scored his first goal for Columbus, while Lionel Messi briefly pulled Miami level with a free kick.
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Jamal Thiaré finished a rebound in the ninth minute of stoppage time Sunday night, giving the Columbus Crew a 2-1 victory over Inter Miami after Lionel Messi had leveled the score with a first-half free kick.
The Crew had 46% of possession but outshot Miami 14-5, including 7-3 on target. Columbus goalkeeper Patrick Schulte made two saves, while Miami’s Rocco Ríos Novo stopped five shots.
Josef Martínez put Columbus ahead in the 28th minute, converting a penalty after Yannick Bright brought him down in the penalty area as Brais Méndez sent in a corner. It was Martínez’s first goal for the Crew since signing with the club Aug. 13.
Miami answered five minutes later. Messi curled a free kick from near the right end line over Schulte and inside the far post. The goal was Messi’s 21st of the season; he also led MLS with 13 assists, tied with four other players, according to the game report.
The match remained level into stoppage time. Miami’s Santiago Morales received a yellow card in the fourth minute of added time and was sent off about two minutes later. Thiaré then struck the decisive goal after Schulte parried Méndez’s shot from outside the box. Thiaré met the rebound first-time from near the top of the six-yard area.
The win moved Columbus to an 8-14-5 record. Inter Miami, at 12-5-10, had one win and two losses in its previous 10 matches.