Inter Miami scores lone goal to beat Columbus Crew in a battle of unbeatens before 60,614

Miami Herald

20-04-2025

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami's unbeaten start to the season was put to the test vs. another undefeated foe, and the South Florida side came out on top thanks to some resolute defending, good fortune and an unlikely hero.
Benjamin Cremaschi scored at the 30-minute via a fortunate deflection, and that was enough for Inter Miami to defeat the host Columbus Crew, 1-0, in the battle of unbeaten teams at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland on Saturday afternoon.
Cremaschi's winner — which came off his left shoulder on a diving header attempt following a cross from Marcelo 'Chelo' Weigandt.
The clean-sheet victory pushed coach Javier Mascherano and Inter Miami ahead of the Crew and into first place in the Eastern Conference with 18 points via a 5-3-0 record.
'We played one of the best teams in the league, and we had to be very good defensively to neutralize them' Mascherano said. 'They are a team that attacks very well. ... We got better as the game went on.'
Playing in front of an announced crowd of 60,614 at an alternate venue in Cleveland, Cremaschi delivered the game-winner with his left shoulder in the 30th minute.
Inter Miami striker Luis Suarez hit a cross-field pass down the right side to Weigandt, who whipped in an immediate cross that a diving Cremaschi deflected in at the back post with his left shoulder.
Cremaschi's shot was one of only two on target from Inter Miami in the tactical affair, which saw the Crew finish with just three attempts on target.
'It is true we did not have many shots on goal, but we did have approximations, especially in the first half, that we perhaps did not finish in the best way,' Mascherano said. 'They also did not have many chances. They had one or two in the first half because of the amount of possession they had in comparison to us.
'... Clearly, we need to keep working on our shortcomings, especially in the final third because they could have cost us the victory. That is the reality.'
Mascherano rotated his starting lineup lightly, resting centerback Maximiliano 'Peluca' Falcon while starting Gonzalo Lujan in his place. Weigandt got the start at right back over Lujan and Ian Fray, and Cremaschi started out wide in favor of Telasco Segovia.
The match began in a very tactical manner, with both sides not creating many scoring opportunities. The Crew controlled possession, but Inter Miami looked more dangerous in transition.
The first real scoring opportunity came in the 25th minute. Recently acquired Crew attacker Daniel Gazdag slipped in behind Inter Miami's back line, but his awkward effort floated over the crossbar.
The Crew dissected Inter Miami again with some intricate passing four minutes later, though another good look was wasted by Maximilian Arfsten's lobbed attempt.
'In these types of games against an opponent that attacks the way Columbus does and moves the ball as well as they do, it is very important that they do not score on you,' Mascherano said. 'It is very important that you stay compact and give that sensation of defensive security for a long portion of the game.'
Cremaschi's goal followed, and Messi tried to double the lead in the 42nd minute by taking on a crowd and firing a shot that was easily deflected out for a corner kick.
Messi attempted to make it 2-0 again in the only minute of first-half stoppage time, hitting a stinging shot that soared wide of the left post.
An aggressive Crew tried to tie the score in the second half, but Inter Miami's dogged and determined defending limited the clear-cut opportunities despite Columbus' 59% possession.
Inter Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari was sure-handed, making the three routines saves.
'Chalk it up to the commitment of the players to defend in the best way and to defend in an organized block and to take on that responsibility,' Mascherano said. 'In the end, a coach can transmit an idea to his players, but the ones that carry out the plan are the players. That the defense gave that sense of security today is all due to the players.
'This is due to their commitment when it comes to defending. Obviously, we need to keep improving, but I think this is the right path.'
Inter Miami will quickly switch gears, as the first leg of its Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals series vs. the Vancouver Whitecaps awaits at BC Place in Canada on Thursday.
The decisive match of that tournament is set for April 30 at Chase Stadium.