UNREAL! Columbus Crew stun Inter Miami with late winner | OneFootball

By Ben Steiner

Did Jamal Thiaré just save the Columbus Crew's season?

After allowing one of Lionel Messi’s best goals for Inter Miami CF, the Crew staged a remarkable Sunday Night Soccer presented by Continental Tire comeback, with Thiaré scoring in the 98th minute for a dramatic 2-1 win. 

"I want to just help my team," Thiaré said on Apple TV. "I want to bring some energy because we work really hard during the week, so we know what we can do on Saturday or Sunday. So that happened tonight.

"I’m so happy, and I would like to say this for the fans: they continue to come every night. We need them, and we know what we can do with them."

With their Matchday 28 dramatics, the Crew won consecutive league games for just the second time this season. 

They also moved within four points of ninth-place New York City FC in the Eastern Conference standings - good for Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs positioning. 

"It was important, especially before a mini break, to have not only the performance but the key moments and also the three points,” said interim head coach Laurent Courtois.

“I am really pleased that we had that."

Record crowd push

A record crowd of 21,188 fans at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field saw Thiaré play the late hero after Messi cancelled out Josef Martínez's 28th-minute penalty-kick goal five minutes later with a spectacular free kick.

Seemingly out of nowhere, the Crew are looking like contenders. In addition to their late-season playoff push, they'll host St. Louis CITY SC on Oct. 21 in the US Open Cup final. 

"Now we can reassess a few things," said Courtois. "And of course, I believe that's going to give the guys confidence.”

Next up, Columbus will visit Antoine Griezmann and Orlando City on Oct. 10 (7:30 pm ET | Apple TV).

WATCH: Columbus Crew stun Inter Miami in Sunday Night thriller!