Miami forward Lionel Messi took a shot from the right side of Columbus' box that Crew defender Malte Amundsen deflected with his body before the ball got to goalkeeper Patrick Schulte, stymying Messi's attempt. The Crew had control of the ball inside Miami's box and had multiple opportunities to create a goal but fell short.

Playing in front of an announced crowd of 60,614 at an alternate venue in Cleveland, Inter Miami’s Benjamin Cremaschi delivered the game-winner with his left shoulder in the 30th minute.