Messi scores stunning free kick as Inter Miami fall to Columbus Crew
Lionel Messi netted a spectacular free kick but Inter Miami suffered a late defeat to Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer.
Key Takeaways
AIArgentine star Lionel Messi scored a remarkable free kick, described as "almost impossible," during Inter Miami's match against Columbus Crew on Sunday night in Major League Soccer.
Messi struck from the far right side, curling a high ball directly into the net to level the score at 1-1 in the 33rd minute, after Columbus Crew had taken the lead through a Joseph Martinez penalty in the 28th minute.
In the dying moments, Jamal Thiare snatched a dramatic winner for Columbus Crew in the 90+9th minute, handing Inter Miami a painful defeat.
Messi nears new free kick record
Major League Soccer noted that Messi's goal came from an "almost impossible angle," while Inter Miami's official account called it "unimaginable." Messi has now scored 76 career free kicks, just two shy of the record held by Brazil's Marcelinho Carioca.
Overall, Messi has reached 931 career goals, continuing his pursuit of Al-Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo, who has 979 goals and aims to reach the 1,000 mark.
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MLS standings for both teams
Inter Miami sit third in the Eastern Conference with 46 points, 14 behind leaders Nashville, while Columbus Crew are twelfth with 29 points.