Inter Miami (foto: Uradni Twitter profil kluba/zveze)
Casemiro scored an own goal on his Inter Miami home debut as Lionel Messi returned from the World Cup and watched his side settle for a 2-2 draw with Columbus Crew.
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Casemiro endured a difficult first appearance in front of the Inter Miami supporters as the Brazilian midfielder scored an unfortunate own goal in a 2-2 MLS draw against Columbus Crew.
The 34-year-old joined the club on a free transfer after leaving Manchester United at the end of the 2025-26 Premier League season, where he had reportedly earned around £375,000 per week. He made a winning debut in a 1-0 victory over CF Montreal last weekend, but his home debut proved far more difficult.
Inter Miami took the lead through Luis Suarez, who fired home from long range, but Casemiro's mistake allowed Columbus back into the match.
The Brazilian first lost possession inside his own half after his pass was intercepted by Hugo Picard. The move continued through Daniel Gazdag, who released Taha Habroune down the flank. As Habroune's low cross flashed across the penalty area, Casemiro desperately attempted to clear the danger but instead diverted the ball past goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo.
The experienced midfielder looked visibly frustrated after the own goal and later received a yellow card following a foul on Sekou Bangoura.
Inter Miami regained the advantage deep into first-half stoppage time when Noah Allen found the net, sending the home crowd into celebration once again.
The atmosphere lifted even further in the 53rd minute when Lionel Messi came off the bench for his first appearance since captaining Argentina in the World Cup final defeat to Spain. The Argentine superstar immediately took the captain's armband from Suarez. Still, he was unable to inspire another victory.
Brais Mendez rescued a point for Columbus in the 84th minute with a curling free-kick from the right that evaded everyone, struck the post and bounced into the net.
Like the recent World Cup final, the match was also interrupted by severe weather, with kick-off delayed by approximately 40 minutes.
The draw ended Inter Miami's six-match winning streak in MLS, although Javier Mascherano's side have now gone seven league matches without defeat.