Casemiro experienced a difficult home debut for Inter Miami, scoring an own goal in the team's 2-2 Major League Soccer draw against Columbus Crew on Saturday. The midfielder, who joined the American club on a free transfer from Manchester United, had previously played the full duration in a 1-0 away win at Montreal on July 26.
During Saturday's match at their home stadium, Inter Miami led 1-0 courtesy of a long-range strike from Luis Suarez. However, Casemiro leveled the score for the opposition in the 34th minute when he inadvertently deflected a cross past his own goalkeeper. The build-up to the own goal also involved Casemiro losing possession in his own half. A pass was intercepted, leading to a sequence of play that resulted in a low cross which the Brazilian defender attempted to clear, but instead diverted into his own net.
The 34-year-old Brazilian was also shown a yellow card later in the game for a foul on Columbus Crew's Sekou Bangoura.
Noah Allen's goal just before halftime restored Inter Miami's lead, but the noise inside the stadium increased significantly in the second half when Lionel Messi entered the game in the 53rd minute. This marked Messi's first match since captaining Argentina in their World Cup final loss to Spain on July 19.
Upon his entrance, the 39-year-old Messi took the captain's armband from Suarez. However, he was unable to secure a victory for his team, as Brais Mendez scored a late equalizer for Columbus Crew in the 84th minute with a curled free-kick that found the net off the post.
The match itself experienced a 40-minute delay due to inclement weather, a situation reminiscent of events during the World Cup. The draw ended Inter Miami's six-game winning streak, although the team remains unbeaten in their last seven matches.