David Beckham and Lionel Messi have been a perfect match in Miami (Image: Getty)
David Beckham has hailed Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami team after they clinched the Supporters' Shield for the first time in the club's history. The Supporters' Shield is awarded to the MLS side with the best regular season record, a title that Miami secured following a thrilling 3-2 victory over Columbus Crew at Lower.com field.
The night was dominated by Messi, who netted twice in the away win.
The Argentine superstar scored two goals towards the end of the first half, including a stunning free-kick, giving his team a comfortable lead at half-time and bringing them closer to the title. However, the game was back on within a minute of the second half starting, as Columbus responded with a goal from Diego Rossi.
But Miami quickly restored their two-goal advantage, thanks to a strike from Messi's former Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez, who bagged his 18th league goal of the season just three minutes later.
Columbus refused to go down without a fight, pulling another goal back through a Cucho Hernandez penalty just past the hour mark. Their chances were hampered when they were reduced to 10 men after Rudy Camacho was shown a second yellow card.
Despite being a man down, Columbus had a golden chance to equalise from another penalty.
Hernandez's magic touch eluded him in the dying minutes as he failed to convert from the penalty spot, costing his team dearly and ensuring Miami would snag both the three points as well as the Eastern Conference title. Beckham, ecstatic club owner, took to Instagram to celebrate their success.
"So proud to see our players lift the Supporters Shield after a great win in Columbus," Beckham effused on social media. "Another amazing achievement in the history of this football club and so happy to bring this trophy to the best fans in the League. Now we go again and onto the next one."
Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez scored in a 3-2 win to hand Inter Miami the Supporters' Shield (Image: Getty Images)
The spotlight will now shift towards the MLS Cup Playoffs commencing in December to decide the ultimate champion. Argentine maestro Messi remained grounded amidst celebrations, with his eyes already set on the challenges ahead.
"The first objective has been achieved and now we have to think about what's next," he reflected.
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"The first round is three games but then it's one game and anything can happen. But we have the great advantage of playing all the games at home, which is what we were looking for. We are very strong at home."
Miami faces off against Toronto and New England Revolution in their remaining regular season fixtures before the play-off battles kick off at month's end.
