Messi magic helps Inter Miami clinch Supporters' Shield for 1st time

Lionel Messi scored twice as Inter Miami beat defending Major League Soccer champion Columbus 3-2 to clinch the Supporters' Shield, awarded for the best regular-season record, for the first time in club history.

This latest title gives Messi 46 trophies for club and country in his decorated career, extending his record for the most by a male player in soccer history. It's the second piece of silverware Inter Miami have captured since Messi's arrival, adding the Supporters' Shield to the Leagues Cup trophy that was secured shortly after the Argentine superstar joined the club last year.

Messi had been subdued until the 45th minute of Wednesday's match when he put Inter ahead -- chesting down a long ball into the box and getting a lucky bounce off Crew defender Malte Amundsen before poking home.

Minutes later, Messi made it 2-0, taking advantage of a poorly assembled wall to curl a perfect free-kick into the corner past the stationary Columbus keeper Patrick Schulte.

But 20 seconds after the start of the second half, Columbus pulled a goal back when the ball fell to Diego Rossi just inside the box and he cleverly curled his shot into the far corner.

Straight from the restart, Columbus gifted Miami a third when Schulte raced off his line but with defender Rudy Camacho in his way, he dropped the ball to Luis Suarez who headed into the unguarded goal.

The Crew battled back again though and made it 3-2 through a Cucho Hernandez penalty after Noah Allen handled in the box.

But once again, the momentum Columbus had gained was lost when Camacho was sent off for a second yellow card after a studs up challenge on Federico Redondo.

Seven minutes from the end though, the Crew had a glorious chance to grab a point -- and deny Miami their celebration -- when a penalty was awarded for handball against Ian Fray after a VAR review.

But this time Hernandez's penalty was weak and Miami 'keeper Drake Callender dived to his right and saved.

Inter Miami and Columbus could potentially meet again in the MLS playoffs, where Messi's side will have home-field advantage throughout.

The MLS Cup final will be played on Dec. 7.

Inter Miami still have one regular-season record to chase before turning their attention to the playoffs. The Herons can establish a new MLS benchmark for points in a single season by winning their final two matches against Toronto FC and New England. Miami has 68 points going into its last two games.

The current record is 73, set by the Revolution in 2021.