Lionel Messi found the net for Inter Miami CF, but the visitors fell 2-1 to Columbus Crew at Lower.com Field in MLS action. The match on the Sofascore match page shows a tight contest that included one red card for Inter Miami. Across 90 minutes, Messi mixed clinical finishing with tidy distribution and steady involvement. Here is how his performance stacks up, with all numbers sourced from Sofascore.

Goal scorer with a sharp shot profile

Messi scored one goal from three total attempts, with two shots on target and one off target. His expected goals came in at 0.1676, while his expected goals on target registered at 0.6753, reflecting the quality applied to efforts that hit the frame. The shot value component of his performance rated at 0.45 in Sofascore’s model. He did not take a penalty and there were no rebounds to follow up for him in this one. Still, the finishing touch he provided was the standout attacking moment for Inter Miami.

Even with limited shooting volume, the threat was credible whenever he found space near the box. That blend of efficiency and placement is consistent with his season-long mix of inside and outside the box goals. There was no second goal to level the match late, but each on-target effort asked a proper question of the defense. Columbus limited clear looks, yet Messi squeezed value from the chances he did get. In a game decided by fine margins, his strike kept Inter Miami alive until the end.

Passing rhythm and chance creation

On the ball, Messi completed 27 of 29 passes, a neat display of control and selection. He went 12 of 13 in his own half and 15 of 16 in the opposition half, keeping sequences moving in both build-up and final-third play. He created two key passes and posted 0.130927 expected assists, though no teammate applied the final touch. His crossing returned one accurate delivery from two attempts, and his only long ball found its target. The pass value component of his output clocked in at 0.14, fitting the picture of steady progression without a final assist.

Touch selection was clean and often purposeful. He did not force low-percentage passes and rarely surrendered the ball cheaply in dangerous zones. While the assist did not arrive, the chance creation was present and repeatable. In matches like this, one more clean look can tilt the result, and Messi’s service was trending in that direction. Fans can dive deeper into these sequences on the Lionel Messi Sofascore profile.

Involvement, carrying and duels

Messi recorded 43 touches and completed 13 ball carries, covering 92.40 meters with the ball at his feet. Those carries added 34.27 meters of progression, reflecting steady territorial gains even if the model did not credit a progressive carry. He won 3 of his 5 duels and drew 2 fouls, absorbing contact to relieve pressure and set platforms for set pieces. There were 2 unsuccessful touches and 6 instances of possession lost, reasonable figures for a high-usage forward in a close match. His dribble value came in at 0.25, with defensive value at -0.06, which matches a role focused on attacking phases.

He also committed 2 fouls, a sign of the game’s intensity and the need to slow transitions at times. Inter Miami finished with one red card on the night, which shaped the late phases and the spaces available in transition. Even so, Messi kept presenting for the ball and tried to knit moves together under pressure. Across the full 90, his Sofascore Rating settled at 7.7, a solid mark in a narrow away defeat. For minute-by-minute momentum, heat map and advanced splits, check the full match center on Sofascore.

Where this fits in his MLS season

This outing keeps Messi’s 2026 MLS campaign on a high statistical track. He sits at 21 goals and 11 assists in 24 appearances, supported by 65 key passes and 21 big chances created. Across 2,090 minutes, he has taken 149 shots with 62 on target and has hit the woodwork 10 times. Free kicks remain a weapon too, with 6 goals from set-piece situations. His average Sofascore Rating for the season stands at 8.38, highlighting consistent impact across matches.

The creative volume shows in his accurate final-third distribution and a healthy expected goals involvement of 28.10. He has 9 Team of the Week appearances, underlining regular top-tier contributions. Dribbling success sits at 50 percent with 50 successful take-ons, and he continues to generate chances from varied zones. Put together, the season profile mirrors what we saw in Columbus: reliable shot quality, tidy passing and a steady stream of chance creation. Track the rest of the MLS season on Sofascore for live ratings, momentum graphs and highlights.

Columbus took the points, but Messi’s production remained clear and measurable. For Inter Miami, those repeatable actions are a good sign as fixtures come quickly in MLS. If the shot and chance trends hold, the numbers suggest more goals and assists on the horizon. As always, the fastest way to follow his next outing is on Sofascore, where every touch feeds straight into the data story.