Inter Miami has won the Supporters’ Shield for the first time in franchise history thanks to a spectacular double from Lionel Messi in a thrilling 3-2 victory over reigning MLS Cup champions Columbus Crew.

The Supporters’ Shield, an annual accolade awarded to the MLS team with the best regular-season record, marks the second trophy for Miami since its inception in January 2018. Messi was instrumental in Miami’s Leagues Cup triumph last summer, just a month after his landmark signing was announced.

Heading into Wednesday’s showdown, Miami needed a win to clinch the regular-season title. Messi kicked off the scoring 40 minutes in and then beautifully curled a free-kick into the top-left corner just before halftime.

Columbus replied moments after the restart, with Diego Rossi netting a close-range goal within 25 seconds of the second half. Luis Suarez then re-established Miami’s two-goal lead, capitalizing on a goalkeeper blunder to head into an unguarded net. Columbus were subsequently granted two penalties, both taken by star striker Cucho Hernandez.

He converted the first but missed the second, allowing Miami to narrowly edge one of the most memorable regular-season games in MLS history. In doing so they secured the double over Columbus this season, a team they’re likely to face in the MLS Cup Playoffs.

In the wake of the victory, Messi celebrated the 46th trophy of his professional career, and has now scored 29 goals for Miami since his transfer last summer. With two matches still left in the regular season, manager Tata Martino has the luxury of being able to rest his key players ahead of the MLS Cup.

Miami still has matches against Toronto FC and New England Revolution to play before the playoffs begin. The international break falling between these two games offers a significant rest period away from club soccer for Messi, Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba.

Due to their regular-season standing, Miami will receive a bye and won’t see its first playoff action until Oct. 26. As the top finishers in the Eastern Conference, Miami will host the lowest remaining seed in a best-of-three series in Round 1 of the MLS Cup Playoffs. These games are scheduled between Saturday, Oct. 26, and Sunday, Nov. 10.

After Round 1, the Conference Semi-Finals and Conference Finals will follow, leading up to the MLS Cup Final on Dec. 7. Given their star-studded roster, Miami is favored to take home the ultimate trophy, but their lesser known players have also made significant contributions this season.

Messi was hit with an ankle injury in the Copa America final this summer, resulting in a 105-day absence from the Miami squad and missing nine games. Suarez also had a temporary absence due to commitments with Uruguay, but Miami held strong without their biggest stars.

Despite Messi’s nine-game absence, Miami still managed to secure victories in eight of them. With a fully recharged Messi ready for the MLS Cup Playoffs, it could be a landmark year for the franchise, although it’s worth noting that throughout history the team that wins the Supporters’ Shield rarely goes all the way.