{
  "id": 31610,
  "title": "MLS: Messi returns as Inter Miami draw 2-2 against Columbus Crew",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/02/mls-messi-returns-as-inter-miami-draw-2-2-against-columbus-crew",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-02T06:24:55.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/mls-messi-returns-as-inter-miami-draw-2-2-against-columbus-crew/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "Lionel Messi returned to MLS action for Inter Miami after the World Cup, coming on in the second half as his team drew 2-2 with Columbus Crew. According to Free Malaysia Today, Messi entered the game in the 53rd minute, but was unable to score, shooting wide twice.\n\nInter Miami took the lead in the 16th minute through Luis Suarez's seventh goal in his last four games, but Columbus Crew equalized in the 34th minute after a Casemiro own goal. Miami regained the lead at half-time through Noah Allen's headed goal, assisted by Suarez.\n\nHowever, Columbus Crew secured a draw in the 84th minute through a free-kick by Brais Mendez, who was making his debut for the team. The result ended Inter Miami's six-match winning streak and kept them in second place in the Eastern Conference.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Messi returns as Inter Miami draw 2-2 against Columbus Crew",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/02/messi-returns-as-inter-miami-draw-2-2-against-columbus-crew",
        "published": "2026-08-02T04:14:48.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Casemiro scores own goal as Messi returns for Inter Miami",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/03/casemiro-scores-own-goal-as-messi-returns-for-inter-miami",
        "published": "2026-08-03T00:01:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}