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| Messi and Suárez On Fire! Inter Miami Smash Columbus 5–1 Ahead of Club World Cup. |
Inter Miami are back in top form! The Herons dominated Columbus Crew with a massive 5–1 win at Chase Stadium, and of course, Lionel Messi stole the show again. With two goals and two assists, the Argentine superstar led Miami to their biggest victory of the 2025 MLS season — just in time for the FIFA Club World Cup.
Messi and Allende Start the Goal Fest Early
It didn’t take long for Miami to get going. In just the 13th minute, Messi delivered a perfect assist to Tadeo Allende, who scored his fourth goal in five games. Just two minutes later, a major mistake from Columbus goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen gifted Messi his first goal of the night. Boom — 2–0 in just 15 minutes!
Messi bagged his second in the 24th minute, before Luis Suárez and Fafa Picault added goals to seal a commanding victory. The Herons looked sharp, clinical, and confident.
With this win, Inter Miami jumped to third in the Eastern Conference standings with 29 points from 16 matches — just behind Philadelphia Union and FC Cincinnati.
Messi & Suárez: The Deadliest Duo in MLS is Back
Remember when Messi and Suárez went two straight games without scoring? Yeah, forget about that. The former FC Barcelona teammates are back and lighting up MLS again.
Messi may have grabbed the headlines with two goals and two assists, but Suárez also found the back of the net thanks to a slick combination with his best buddy. The two were in sync all night, linking up smoothly and giving Miami’s midfield the space to create more opportunities — all while conserving their energy with smart movement.
In the last three games — a 3–3 draw with Philly, a 4–2 win over Montréal, and now this 5–1 win — Messi has scored five goals and assisted four, while Suárez added three goals and one assist. 🔥
The recent switch to a 4-4-2 formation is clearly working. It allows both of them to stay up top, pick off long balls, and pounce on loose chances. Plus, with Benjamin Cremaschi back in the midfield alongside Sergio Busquets, the team is much more attack-minded than when Bright or Redondo played in that double pivot.
They may not generate as many chances as other MLS teams, but Messi and Suárez are making every shot count. They're heading into the Club World Cup as the hottest pair in the league.
Miami Are Peaking at the Perfect Time
Not long ago, Sergio Busquets admitted Miami weren’t ready to compete at the Club World Cup level. But things look very different now.
After a rough patch where they only won two of nine MLS games and crashed out of the Concacaf Champions Cup, Inter Miami have bounced back. They’re now on their first back-to-back winning streak since March — and they’re gaining momentum at just the right time.
It’s not just about results — it’s also about confidence. Coach Javier Mascherano has adjusted his tactics, rotated the squad smartly, and made the team more adaptable to different opponents rather than sticking to a rigid game plan.
That flexibility is paying off. Miami have scored 15 goals in their last five matches, showing flashes of their brilliant 2024 attacking form. The defense is still a work in progress (12 goals conceded in the same span), but the improvements are real.
They may not be MLS’s top team just yet, but this latest win over a tough Columbus side is a strong sign they’re on the rise — just in time for their June 14 Club World Cup opener against Egypt’s Al-Ahly.
Goalkeeper Concerns: Ustari Injury Raises Questions
As good as Miami looked up front, there’s one problem they can’t ignore — the goalkeeper situation. Veteran Oscar Ustari was forced off with an injury, and Rocco Ríos Novo took over for the second half.
Ustari hasn’t had the best season statistically, but he’s been consistent and has helped the defense settle. If he’s sidelined for long, Miami will have to choose between Ríos Novo — who’s only played 19 MLS games — or experienced backup William Yarbrough, who hasn’t seen action since September 1, 2024.
Luckily, MLS clubs get an extra transfer window from June 1 to June 10. If Ustari’s injury turns out to be serious, Miami could look to bring in another shot-stopper. They weren’t expected to shop for a goalkeeper, but that could quickly change.
They’ll need to make a decision fast — the Club World Cup starts soon, and there’s no time to waste.
Miami Are Ready for the Global Stage
After some early-season stumbles, Inter Miami are finally clicking. Messi and Suárez are back to their best, the attack is firing, and Mascherano’s tactical tweaks are working. Sure, there are still concerns at the back and with the goalkeeper situation, but the overall momentum is undeniable.
Their 5–1 win over Columbus Crew is more than just three points — it’s a statement. Inter Miami are heading into the Club World Cup with confidence, chemistry, and a touch of Messi magic.
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