COLUMBUS — Jamal Thiaré entered Sunday night’s match in the 83rd minute. Sixteen minutes later, he sent ScottsMiracle-Gro Field into a frenzy.
Thiaré scored in the ninth minute of second-half stoppage time to give the Crew a dramatic 2-1 victory over Inter Miami, extending Columbus’ recent surge with one of its most memorable finishes of the season.
Columbus created chances almost immediately. Anass Zaroury struck the right post in the 10th minute, and Brais Méndez forced goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo into a save four minutes later as the Crew applied early pressure.
The breakthrough came in the 28th minute when Josef Martínez converted a penalty to give Columbus a 1-0 lead.
It did not last long.
Lionel Messi equalized five minutes later with a brilliant free kick, curling a left-footed shot into the top corner to make it 1-1. The score remained tied into halftime despite another late push from Columbus.
The Crew continued threatening after the break. Zaroury hit the crossbar in the 55th minute, while Méndez repeatedly tested Ríos Novo from distance. Patrick Schulte did his part at the other end, stopping Rodrigo De Paul in the 59th minute and Messi three minutes later to keep the match level.
Columbus nearly found the winner in the 89th minute when Santiago Rodríguez struck the right post from outside the box.
Then the match turned chaotic.
Inter Miami’s Santiago Morales, who had been booked in the 94th minute, received a second yellow card in the 96th and was sent off, leaving Miami with 10 men for the closing minutes. Columbus immediately took advantage.
Méndez forced another save in the 98th minute before Thiaré finally broke through one minute later, scoring with his right foot from the center of the box to put the Crew ahead 2-1.
Miami had one final push during an extended period of stoppage time, but Columbus held on through the 12th additional minute to secure the victory.
The Crew finished with 13 shots to Miami’s five and put six on target. Columbus also earned nine corner kicks while Miami managed only one, reflecting an evening in which the Crew consistently created the greater number of attacking opportunities.
The victory gives Columbus three consecutive wins in all competitions after victories over Orlando City in the U.S. Open Cup and CF Montréal in MLS play.
And against a Miami side featuring Messi, Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, the Crew saved their best moment for the very end.
What’s Next
The Crew return to action Saturday, Oct. 10, when they travel to face Orlando City SC. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
