Inter Miami vs Columbus Crew player ratings: Lionel Messi and Drake Callender are the heroes of South Beach as the Herons secure the 2024 MLS Supporter's Shield

Lionel Messi's magnificent brace, his 31st and 32nd goal contributions of the season, helped Inter Miami win the 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield with a thrilling 3-2 win over the Columbus Crew on Wednesday night.

The Argentine scored the opening goal of the game in the 45th minute and four minutes into first-half stoppage time he scored again, this time a sensational free kick, which gave them a 2-0 lead.

But just 20 seconds into the second half, the team scored through winger Diego Rossi. However, the Herons reacted immediately.

Less than 60 seconds after the Crew's opening goal of the second half, Luis Suarez scored Miami's third goal, taking advantage of a mistake by Crew and USMNT goalkeeper Patrick Schulte. With a 3-1 lead, Herons looked set to go until the final whistle, but it was anything but comfortable.

In the 61st minute, the team earned a penalty, which Cucho Hernandez scored to bring the score to one point. However, two minutes later, Columbus defender Rudy Camacho saw red after receiving his second yellow card of the game.

Advantage, Miami – or so they thought.

In the 82nd minute of the contest, the Crew was presented with another gift when Miami defender Ian Fray committed a handball offense in the penalty area. Hernandez had the chance to equalize, but US international Drake Callender made a huge save to deny the Colombian a penalty.

In doing so, the Herons secured the 2024 regular season title in perhaps the most chaotic, lively and unexpected game of the season.

Columbus fans will be annoyed by the decisions throughout the game, particularly a first-half challenge from Sergio Busquets that went to the VAR but was ruled a non-foul after a lengthy review – much to the dismay of everyone involved in the lower .Com Field.

Meanwhile, for the Herons, both Federico Redondo and Marcelo Weigandt have picked up yellow cards and will miss Saturday's game against Toronto FC.

But they probably won't care. The Herons are the 2024 MLS regular season champions and Messi, along with Callender, are the heroes of South Beach.

Trophy No. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, who scored 46 points for the Argentine and is Inter Miami's second in the Messi era, has led them to the best team in the league with his 17 goals and 15 assists this season.

GOAL evaluates the Inter Miami players from Lower.Com Field.