Messi Guides Inter Miami Past LAFC in CONCACAF Champions Cup
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — In a thrilling display of skill and determination, Lionel Messi propelled Inter Miami to the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup with a stunning comeback against LAFC. Trailing 2-0 on aggregate after the first leg, Inter Miami secured a 3-1 win in the second leg, resulting in a 3-2 aggregate victory.
Key Moments of the Match
- Early Setback: Aaron Long opened the scoring for LAFC in the ninth minute, extending LAFC’s aggregate lead to 2-0 and placing Inter Miami under significant pressure.
- Messi Ignites the Comeback: Messi responded in the 35th minute with a precise strike from the edge of the box, leveling the match at 1-1. This marked Messi’s 41st goal in just 48 matches for Inter Miami.
- Unexpected Turn: Noah Allen gave Inter Miami the lead at 2-1 in the 61st minute when his chip pass inadvertently found its way into the net, tying the aggregate score at 2-2.
- Drama on the Field: A potential go-ahead goal for Inter Miami by Luis Suarez was disallowed for offside in the 67th minute, increasing the tension as the game neared its conclusion.
- Decisive Penalty: In the 84th minute, Messi converted a penalty kick to secure the 3-1 victory, effectively clinching a spot in the semifinals.
Post-Match Reflections and Next Steps
Inter Miami’s coach, Javier Mascherano, celebrated the exhilarating win with a punch in the air as the final whistle blew, signaling their advancement to the next round. Goalkeeper Oscar Ustari played a pivotal role, making crucial saves in the final moments to maintain Inter’s lead.
The team will face either Pumas or the Vancouver Whitecaps in the semifinals, with the first leg scheduled for April 22, 23, or 24.
Messi’s Legacy Shines
This match echoed Messi’s heroics from the 2022 World Cup final, where he also netted two goals and contributed in the penalty shootout against Hugo Lloris, who was in goal for LAFC on Wednesday night. Lloris once again found himself unable to contain Messi, highlighting the Argentine’s exceptional talent on such critical stages.
With this remarkable performance, Messi not only drove his team to victory but also reaffirmed his status as a transformative player in the sport, making even the most seemingly daunting of challenges surmountable.
As fans and analysts look forward to the upcoming semifinals, one thing remains clear: with Messi in form, Inter Miami is a formidable contender.
