Inter Miami CF Secure Gritty 1–0 Victory on the Road at Columbus Crew

By Alonso Contreras

A resolute Inter Miami CF side braved a second-half onslaught to escape Huntington Bank Field with a crucial 1-0 road victory over the Columbus Crew, thanks to a composed 30th-minute finish from Benjamin Cremaschi. The Herons rode their early lead and leaned heavily on a stellar defensive unit—and goalkeeper Oscar Ustari—to weather a storm of late chances and claim all three points.

First Half: Early Edge and Gritty Exchanges

The match began at a measured pace, with both teams probing cautiously. The decisive moment came just before the half-hour mark. Marcelo Weigandt, who was lively down the right flank, combined with Luis Suárez to deliver a low cross into the area. Benjamin Cremaschi timed his run perfectly and slotted a calm left-footed finish past Patrick Schulte to give Inter Miami a 1–0 lead.

Columbus nearly equalized just moments later when Max Arfsten forced a strong save from Ustari after getting into the box. The Crew continued to press, but Inter Miami defended tightly, with Gonzalo Luján blocking Dylan Chambost’s dangerous strike (17’) and Messi threatening twice from outside the box at the other end—though both efforts were either saved or off-target.

Second Half: Crew Turn the Screws, Miami Hangs On

The second half saw Columbus dominate possession and create a series of chances, but a mix of poor finishing, heroic blocks, and inspired goalkeeping denied them an equalizer.

Ustari produced key stops, most notably in the 80th minute when he denied Arfsten from the left side of the area. Gonzalo Luján and Maximiliano Falcón put their bodies on the line in stoppage time, blocking two clear chances from Jacen Russell-Rowe (90’+4, xG 29%) and Yevhen Cheberko.

Daniel Gazdag, one of Columbus’ brightest sparks, squandered two golden opportunities in the dying minutes, slicing shots wide from central positions. The Crew’s lack of clinical finishing ultimately cost them, despite producing 20 shots to Miami’s 6.

Messi had a late chance to seal the match with a curling effort from outside the area (90’+5), but Schulte made a clean save.

Key Performers:

Oscar Ustari (Inter Miami) – 5 saves and several commanding claims in the air. A rock at the back.
Benjamin Cremaschi (Inter Miami) – Match-winner and tireless box-to-box presence.
Gonzalo Luján & Maximiliano Falcón (Inter Miami) – Game-saving blocks in stoppage time under heavy pressure.
Diego Rossi (Columbus Crew) – Creative engine, involved in several threatening sequences but lacked the final touch.

Final Thoughts:

Inter Miami may not have dazzled with fluidity or flair, but Gerardo Martino’s men showed they can win ugly—grinding out results with disciplined structure and individual determination. The Crew will rue their missed chances, having controlled much of the match and creating ample opportunities to earn at least a point.

For Miami, it’s a massive road win in hostile territory, powered by a mix of youth, experience, and defensive grit.

Match Stats: