Shocking crowd record as Messi exits quietly and Inter Miami rises | OneFootball

Inter Miami defeated Columbus Crew 1-0. The win was away, at Huntington Bank Field, before 60,614 fans, an all-time record crowd in Columbus. Inter's only goal was scored by Benjamín Cremaschi in the 30th minute of the first half. With the victory, Javier Mascherano's team earned 18 points and passed Crew in the standings.

Cremaschi scores winner

Benjamín Cremaschi’s goal was his first of the season and turned out to be the game-winner. In the 30th minute, the 20-year-old midfielder, a homegrown product of the club’s academy, found himself well positioned and headed the ball into the net. “This was the first goal of the season, so I’m really happy about it. Hopefully, there are many more to come,” Cremaschi said.

Columbus Crew v Inter Miami CF | Jason Mowry/GettyImages

Messi plays but doesn’t score

Lionel Messi took to the pitch during the game but did not contribute directly towards the goal and departed without netting. The No. 10 left straight for the locker room after the game. The movement was described as being constrained in the final minutes by sources.

Head coach Javier Mascherano was asked about Messi's physical condition. "I did not see him leave, but I saw him in the dressing room. I'll check with the doctors, but nothing," he said. "I did not see anything." The release was not more specific about the state of the player, with a decisive game already scheduled for Thursday.

Coach emphasizes team approach

Despite the win, Javier Mascherano preferred to highlight the team’s development. In his interview, he stated, “We’re staying on this path, continuing to work and trying to help the players reach our goals.”

The coach also spoke about errors committed by the staff: "For me, a victory doesn't change my opinion about the game. You give your best and arrive with everything, sometimes getting it right, sometimes making mistakes." He continued, "As a coaching staff, we commit errors unintentionally. It's just about making decisions, sometimes risky, sometimes not for the other team, and motivating the players to continue in this direction."

Match performance and statistics

Inter Miami emerged victorious despite taking less shots. Columbus Crew attempted 16 shots while Inter took just six shots. Still, the Florida team made the most of the chance it got and earned the three points that moved it ahead of Crew on the league table.

Miami has five victories, three draws, and zero losses in eight matches.

Huntington Bank Field attendance record

Columbus Crew vs. Inter Miami was a match that broke the home team attendance record. 60,614 people filled Huntington Bank Field, which belongs to the NFL's Cleveland Browns. The match was moved from Columbus to Cleveland, and the presence of Messi invited fans from many areas.

The previous record for Columbus Crew was 31,550 fans, set in 1996 during a 2-0 win over the New York/New Jersey MetroStars at Ohio Stadium. The new number highlights Messi’s impact on the league and the growing interest of MLS fans in high-profile matches.