Columbus VS Inter Miami : In a dramatic Leagues Cup quarterfinal clash, Columbus Crew pulled off a stunning 3-2 comeback victory over reigning champions Inter Miami, securing their spot in the semifinals. The win is a testament to the resilience and tactical brilliance that has become synonymous with manager Wilfried Nancy’s tenure.
Despite the absence of Lionel Messi, who is still recovering from an ankle injury sustained during the Copa America, Inter Miami started strong. The Herons took control early, with Paraguayan winger Matias Rojas scoring his fourth goal of the tournament just 10 minutes into the match. Miami continued to dominate, doubling their lead in the 63rd minute through Diego Gomez.
Leagues Cup
However, the tide turned dramatically as Columbus mounted a relentless comeback. Christian Ramirez sparked the revival with a powerful header in the 67th minute, followed closely by Diego Rossi, who equalized just two minutes later with a clinical finish. The momentum fully shifted in the Crew’s favor, and Rossi sealed the victory with his second goal of the night in the 81st minute, completing a sensational turnaround.
The victory is especially sweet for Columbus, who avenged their narrow 2-1 defeat to Miami in June. This time, the Crew’s attacking prowess, led by the in-form Rossi, proved too much for the Herons to handle.
Inter Miami’s manager, Tata Martino, faced criticism for his second-half decisions, which many felt were too little, too late. Despite holding a two-goal advantage, Martino’s substitutions came only after Columbus had drawn level, and by then, the momentum had already shifted irreversibly.
With Miami’s exit, the Leagues Cup will crown a new champion this year. Columbus Crew will face the winner of the Tigres vs. NYCFC match in the semifinals on August 21, keeping their hopes alive for a historic run in the tournament.
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