Inter Miami played to a 2-2 stalemate against the Columbus Crew on Saturday. The match was defined by a costly defensive error from new signing Casemiro and the highly anticipated return of Lionel Messi to the pitch.
Casemiro's home debut error and the £375,000-per-week expectation
The Brazilian midfielder Casemiro, who recently joined Inter Miami on a free transfer after leaving Manchester United, endured a nightmare first appearance in front of his new home supporters. According to the report, the 34-year-old was responsible for a critical turning point in the match when he scored an own goal in the 34th minute, erasing an early lead for Inter Miami.
The sequence leading to the goal highlighted a lapse in concentration from the veteran. Casemiro first surrendered possession in his own half , which allwoed Hugo Picard to intercept and find Daniel Gazdag. After Gazdag shifted the ball to Taha Habroune, Casemiro's attempt to clear a low delivery resulted in the ball being diverted past his own goalkeeper and teammate Rocco Rios Novo. The report notes that Casemiro also received a booking for a foul on Columbus Crew's Sekou Bangoura, adding to a difficult outing for the player who previously earned £375,000-per-week in the Premier League.
Lionel Messi's 53rd-minute return after the World Cup final
The atmosphere at the Nu Stadium shifted dramatically in the second half when Lionel Messi entered the game in the 53rd minute. This appearance marked the 39-year-old's first match since captaining Argentina to a defeat against Spain in the World Cup final on July 19. Upon entering, Messi immediately took the captain's armband from Luis Suarez, who had earlier given Inter Miami a 1-0 lead with a long-range strike.
While the arrival of Lionel Messi brought rapturous applause,his presence was not enough to secure a victory. The match mirrored the chaos of the World Cup final in one specific way: a 40-minute delay caused by inclement weather. Despite the tactical shift and the star power on the pitch, Inter Miami could not find a decisive winning goal before the final whistle.
How Brais Mendez ended Inter Miami's six-game winning streak
Inter Miami had entered the match on a formidable run, but the Columbus Crew proved resilient. After Casemiro's own goal leveled the score, Noah Allen scored deep in first-half stoppage time to put Inter Miami back in front. However, the lead vanished in the 84th minute when Brais Mendez curled a free-kick from the right side that clipped the post and entered the net.
As reported, this 2-2 result officially ended Inter Miami's six-game winning streak. despite the disappointment of the draw, the club remains unbeaten in seven matches, suggesting that while their momentum has slowed, their overall form remains strong under the current leadership.
A 40-minute weather delay and the missing tactical edge
The disruption caused by the weather delay likely impacted the rhythm of the game, but several questions remain regarding Inter Miami's tactical approach. Specifically, it is unclear why Lionel Messi did not start the match, especially given the importance of maintaining a winning streak. Furthermore, the source only provides the perspective of the match events, leaving it unknown whether the coaching staff views Casemiro's performance as a teething problem or a deeper concern regarding his integration into the squad.
The chemistry between the high-profile trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez , and Casemiro is still a work in progess. While the individual talent is world-class, the defensive fragility exposed by the Columbus Crew suggests that Inter Miami may still be searching for the right balance between their offensive firepower and midfield stability .
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