{
  "id": 62093,
  "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",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-03T00:01:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/casemiro-scores-own-goal-as-messi-returns-for-inter-miami/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Inter Miami secured a 2-2 draw against Columbus Crew in a Major League Soccer match on Saturday, with Lionel Messi making a notable return to action. The 39-year-old Argentine superstar, who missed Argentina's World Cup final defeat to Spain, returned as a substitute in the 53rd minute, receiving a standing ovation from the home crowd. Leading 2-1, Messi presented two scoring opportunities, but both were thwarted - first, he fired a left-footed shot into the side-netting from an awkward angle, and then, after chesting down a Luis Suarez pass, he narrowly missed the target. Inter Miami took the lead through Brazil midfielder Casemiro, who joined the team in July following his departure from Manchester United. Columbus Crew equalized when Casemiro inadvertently scored an own goal, stretching to block a cross and inadvertently guiding the ball into his own net. Despite Messi's couple of late chances, he failed to secure a winner for Inter Miami, eventually sending a right-footed shot over the bar in added time.",
  "summary": "Lionel Messi returned to action on Saturday following Argentina's World Cup final defeat by Spain, coming on as a substitute for Inter Miami in a 2-2 draw with Columbus Crew as team-mate Casemiro scored an own goal.",
  "key_points": [
    "Inter Miami draws 2-2 with Columbus Crew",
    "Lionel Messi returns as substitute in 53rd minute",
    "Casemiro scores own goal for Inter Miami"
  ],
  "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": "Punch Nigeria",
        "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",
        "published": "2026-08-02T06:24:55.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}