Columbus Crew claimed a 2:1 victory over Inter Miami in the MLS Regular Season 27 fixture at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field on 27 September 2026. The home side took control through a penalty and a stoppage-time goal, while Inter Miami's late red card proved costly in a match where possession meant little to the result.
And here's the thing — the turning point came early. A penalty was awarded to Columbus at the 24th minute following a VAR review, and Josef Martínez converted it at the 28th minute. Inter Miami responded quickly, with Lionel Messi scoring at the 33rd minute to level things. By then, the match had a rhythm that would not change much.
Columbus held firm through the middle stages. Yannick Bright came on for the hosts at the 67th minute, while Inter Miami brought on Facundo Mura at the 71st minute. Dylan Chambost was replaced by Daniel Pinter at the 78th minute for Columbus, and Eric Bailly was taken off at the 83rd minute for Inter Miami — both sides making changes as the game wore on.
Then came the moment that decided it. Santiago Morales received a red card at the 90+6th minute for Inter Miami, leaving them with ten men. Jamal Thiare scored at the 90+8th minute to seal the win, and then picked up a yellow card at the 90+9th minute. We had given a prediction of a Columbus victory at 41 per cent confidence — the match went our way, though not in the manner we expected.
The statistics told the story of a game decided by moments rather than sustained pressure. Columbus registered 1.87 expected goals against three shots on target, while Inter Miami's 0.27 expected goals came from just two shots on target. The visitors held 56 per cent possession but created nothing from it. Columbus had 12 shots, six on target, and converted their chances when it mattered.
The result leaves Columbus in 12th place with 29 points from 27 games, while Inter Miami remain second with 46 points. Their recent form had been solid with draws against San Diego, Nashville, Chicago and Atlanta, but the loss ends a run that looked comfortable. Columbus, meanwhile, moved off the back of a win over Montreal and a victory against Orlando — three wins in five games, and one of them came against the league's second side.
