Miami stunned late against Columbus despite Messi brilliance

[p]Argentina superstar [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/messi-lionel/vgOOdZbd/"]Lionel Messi[/a] curled in a superb free-kick in the 33rd minute to silence the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/columbus-crew/pQ8rarA7/"]Columbus[/a] home crowd after Josef Martinez had fired Crew ahead from the penalty spot five minutes earlier.[/p][embed guid="ae87b761-22f9-433c-87bf-9424420f7382" url="https://x.com/MLS/status/2104357540289012101" social-type="twitter" /][p]But Messi's 21st goal of the regular season proved to be in vain as Crew dug deep to frustrate [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/inter-miami/0AheRyBg/"]Inter Miami[/a] for long periods.[/p][p]Messi almost put Miami ahead in the 62nd minute when he burst forward and shot at goal, only to see his effort tipped over by Crew goalkeeper [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/schulte-patrick/IJv9ax1Q/"]Patrick Schulte[/a].[/p][p]Miami thought they had taken the lead moments later when substitute [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/ayala-david/8xvZqxJ5/"]David Ayala[/a] darted clear of the Columbus back four and crashed a shot past Schulte at the near post.[/p][p]But the goal was chalked off after Ayala was ruled fractionally offside.[/p][p]Columbus meanwhile looked lively at the other end, and new Moroccan signing Anass Zaroury twice hitting the woodwork, including with one spectacular long-range effort that cannoned off the underside of the bar.[/p][embed guid="399d7c3a-93a8-4b7f-9e5d-eeb79d2a227b" url="https://x.com/MLS/status/2104378351448203589" social-type="twitter" /][p]The game looked to be heading for a draw but deep into stoppage time Columbus grabbed a winner.[/p][p]Brais Mendez unleashed a curling shot from the edge of the area which Miami goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo failed to secure.[/p][p]Senegalese substitute Jamal Thiare reacted quickest and lashed home the close-range finish to secure all three points for Columbus.[/p][embed guid="36cb4dce-830e-4ee2-91fc-decfc1b8029f" url="https://x.com/MLS/status/2104381465110749480" social-type="twitter" /][p]The defeat dealt another blow to Miami's already faint hopes of catching Nashville at the top of the Eastern Conference.[/p][p]Miami now trail leaders Nashville by 14 points while being tied with second-place New England at 46 points with seven games of the regular season remaining.[/p][p]Columbus meanwhile remain in the hunt for a playoff spot and are in 12th place with 29 points - four points outside the postseason places.[/p]