Inter Miami, without Lionel Messi, held a 2-0 lead but couldn’t hold on to it as the Columbus Crew came from behind to win 3-2 and book their place in the 2024 Leagues Cup semi-finals.

The Miami team suffered a major blow without the presence of Messi, who is still recovering from an ankle injury he suffered during the Copa America. Despite the absence of the Argentine star, the team dominated the first 63 minutes of the match. The Herons opened the scoring just 10 minutes into the game, thanks to Paraguayan Matías Rojas, who scored his fourth goal of the tournament. After a slow finish to the first half, Tata Martino’s team extended their lead midway through the second half with a goal from Diego Gómez in the 63rd minute.

However, the outlook has changed dramatically.

The Crew scored twice in the next seven minutes to level the score. Christian Ramirez headed in the 67th minute, and Diego Rossi tied the game with another goal in the 69th minute.

With momentum on his side, Rossi added a second goal and Columbus’ third in the 81st minute, completing a sensational comeback.

This matchup between the Crew and Miami follows a mid-June encounter in which the Herons took home three points with a narrow 2-1 victory at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Goals from Ian Fray and Leonardo Campana were enough to win that game.

This time, however, the Crew prevailed over their Eastern Conference rivals.

Diego Rossi shined in the second half after forward Christian Ramirez was brought on at halftime. The former U.S. international allowed the Columbus winger to get wide, and with that came the goals. Rossi scored the Crew’s second and third goals, both with incredibly clinical finishes. The Uruguayan forward was absolutely sensational in the final 45 minutes, changing the course of the match with his threat in and around the box.

Herons coach Tata Martino made some baffling substitutions in the second half. After the Crew pulled one back, Martino brought on Julian Gressel, but they conceded another goal a few minutes later and there were no more changes.

Following Columbus’ third goal, Ian Fray, Benjamin Cremaschi and Leo Campana were introduced into the game, but the changes came too late. It was incredibly poor management in the second half by the Argentine coach.

Martino had a two-goal lead but failed to adjust to the pace of the match, resulting in their elimination.

The Crew will advance to the quarterfinals of the tournament, where they will face NYCFC on August 17. With the reigning champions in Miami officially eliminated, there will now be a new champion crowned.

Messi reacted after the match, declaring: “The team fought until the end and that is the most important thing. We will continue working to come back stronger and show the potential we have.”