Lionel Messi demonstrated another moment of individual skill by scoring an exceptional direct free-kick from an almost impossible angle. However, his efforts could not prevent Inter Miami's dramatic 2-1 defeat against Columbus Crew at the ScottsMiracle-Gro Field on Sunday.
Inter Miami found themselves in a difficult position in the 28th minute when former Herons forward Josef Martinez converted a penalty for Columbus after being fouled in the penalty area.
Five minutes later, Messi created his genius moment. Positioned on the right, near the edge of the penalty area and the corner flag, the Argentine superstar struck a left-footed shot directly into the goal. His cross curved over Patrick Schulte and entered the far top corner, leveling the score in the 33rd minute.
This goal was Messi's 21st in the MLS this season and his 76th free-kick goal in his club and international career. This result left him just two shots away from the record of 78 free-kick goals set by Marcelinho Carioca.
In the 62nd minute, Messi nearly put Miami ahead, but Schulte saved his shot over the crossbar. Then David Ayala saw a potential winning goal, which was disallowed for offside. Instead, Columbus managed to score deep into stoppage time. In the 99th minute, Jamal Tiare capitalized on a loose ball after goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo failed to hold off a strike from Brais Mendes, scoring the winning goal and securing the defeat for Inter Miami.