In a dramatic showdown on Tuesday, the Columbus Crew ousted the reigning champions, Inter Miami, from the Leagues Cup, securing a 3-2 victory to advance to the quarter-finals. The match, held at the Crew’s home ground, saw Uruguayan forward Diego Rossi score two decisive goals in the second half, propelling the Crew to victory.
Inter Miami, who were without their star player Lionel Messi due to a lingering right ankle injury, initially took the lead. Paraguayan midfielder Matias Rojas opened the scoring in the 10th minute, followed by another goal from compatriot Diego Gomez in the 62nd minute, putting Miami ahead 2-0.
However, Columbus Crew’s response was swift. U.S. striker Christian Ramirez scored in the 67th minute, narrowing the gap and setting the stage for Rossi’s heroics. Rossi equalized in the 69th minute and then netted the match-winner in the 80th minute, completing a remarkable comeback for the Crew.
With this victory, the Crew, who are also the reigning MLS champions, secured a place in the quarter-finals, where they will face New York City FC on Saturday. New York City advanced after defeating Tigres 2-1, with Uruguayan Santiago Rodriguez scoring the decisive goal.
This defeat marks a significant setback for Inter Miami, who have been dominant in both the MLS and the Leagues Cup, especially with Messi leading them to last year’s inaugural crown.
The Leagues Cup, a tournament featuring teams from both MLS and Liga MX, continues to provide thrilling matchups, with several other teams advancing to the quarter-finals alongside Columbus Crew and New York City FC.
Philadelphia Union, Mazatlan, Colorado Rapids, Club America, and LAFC are among the other teams that have advanced, with each team overcoming tough challenges to secure their spots in the next round. The tournament promises more excitement as the remaining teams vie for the prestigious title.
