Messi Leads Inter Miami to the Semi-Finals of the Concacaf Champions Cup with Dramatic 3-1 Victory Over LAFC
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami secured their spot in the semi-finals of the Concacaf Champions Cup with a thrilling 3-1 comeback victory over Los Angeles FC at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The match, full of drama and intensity, saw Messi score the decisive penalty in the 84th minute, propelling Miami past LAFC and into the next stage of the competition.
With the win, Miami advanced further than they did in last year’s Concacaf tournament, showing their evolution as a team under head coach Javier Mascherano. The victory showcased the team’s aggressive style of play, a hallmark of Mascherano’s coaching philosophy that has been evident since he took over. This aggressive approach is precisely what makes Concacaf competitions so unpredictable and rewarding for teams willing to push the limits.
A Rollercoaster of Emotions and Chaos
The second leg of the quarterfinal was nothing short of chaotic, with plenty of twists and turns. The match kicked off with an early shock when LAFC’s Aaron Long scored in the 10th minute on a recycled set piece, putting Miami behind 2-0 on aggregate, with LAFC holding the advantage on away goals.
From that moment, Inter Miami’s task was clear: they needed to fight their way back into the game. What followed was a wild and unpredictable series of events that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
The first real moment of controversy came in the 30th minute when Miami was awarded a free-kick 30 yards out after a foul by Ryan Hollingshead. Messi quickly took the free-kick and scored, only for the referee to call it back, citing that play should have stopped due to the yellow card issued earlier. Despite the setback, Messi continued to be a thorn in LAFC’s side.
Messi Takes Control
The breakthrough came soon after when Messi latched onto a deflected through ball, weaving through LAFC’s defense to score a stunning goal. The match was now tied on the night, but Miami still needed two more goals to secure the win.
The second came in the 61st minute, in yet another chaotic moment. After a possible foul was missed, a looping ball into the box from Federico Redondo found defender Noah Allen, who managed to head it over goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and into the net. Miami was on the verge of victory, but the drama wasn’t over yet.
A potential third goal by Luis Suarez was ruled offside, adding to the frustration for Miami as they appealed for several perceived injustices throughout the match. However, the defining moment came with an error by LAFC’s Long, who misjudged a service and allowed the ball to strike his arm in the penalty area. The referee awarded a penalty, and once again, Messi faced Lloris in a penalty shootout scenario, reminiscent of their 2022 World Cup final clash. This time, Messi triumphed again, coolly converting the penalty to give Miami the lead.
Late Drama and Ustari’s Heroics
Despite the lead, LAFC wasn’t finished yet. They had several chances to level the score, but Inter Miami’s goalkeeper, Oscar Ustari, came up with crucial saves to preserve the lead. The most significant came in stoppage time when Ustari denied LAFC’s Denis Bouanga on a breakaway, securing Miami’s victory.
The closing moments were filled with hard tackles and intense fouls, but the final whistle marked the culmination of a dramatic, hard-fought win for Miami. The team celebrated jubilantly, knowing they had overcome a major obstacle in their pursuit of the Concacaf title.
Looking Ahead
With this victory, Inter Miami advances to the semi-finals, where they will face either Vancouver Whitecaps or Pumas. The road to the final is now wide open for Messi and Miami, who are showing the form and determination needed to challenge for the Champions Cup.
