Lionel Messi’s late penalty sealed a thrilling comeback for Inter Miami, securing a 3-1 victory over Los Angeles FC in the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup and sending the Herons to the semifinals. The win, which resulted in a 3-2 aggregate triumph, came after Miami had lost 1-0 in the first leg in Los Angeles. The dramatic turnaround in the second leg in Fort Lauderdale showcased Messi’s leadership and ability to perform under pressure.
The match got off to a difficult start for Inter Miami as LAFC extended their aggregate lead early. In the ninth minute, Aaron Long scored with a close-range volley, giving LAFC a 2-0 advantage overall. With Miami needing at least two goals to stay in the competition, the task seemed daunting. However, Messi, as he often does, was the catalyst for the comeback.
In the 35th minute, Messi showed his trademark brilliance when he received a pass just outside the box. He deftly dribbled past a defender and fired a left-footed strike into the net, pulling Miami back into the game. The goal sparked the belief that the Herons could complete the comeback and level the aggregate score. That belief was further strengthened in the 61st minute when Noah Allen, assisted by Messi, delivered a perfectly placed chip into the goal. The ball evaded everyone in the box and nestled into the back of the net, bringing the aggregate score to 2-2.
With the game tied on aggregate and the tension rising, the decisive moment came in the 84th minute. A video review determined that LAFC’s Mark Delgado had committed a handball in the penalty area, giving Miami a crucial opportunity to take the lead. Messi stepped up to take the penalty, and as he has done countless times in his career, he delivered. The Argentine superstar calmly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way and slotted the ball into the top-right corner of the net to give Miami a 3-1 victory on the night and secure their place in the semifinals.
Inter Miami will now face the Vancouver Whitecaps in a two-legged semifinal. The Whitecaps advanced in similarly dramatic fashion, overcoming Pumas UNAM on away goals after a 2-2 draw in Mexico City. Vancouver had been tied 3-3 on aggregate with Pumas, but they progressed due to scoring more goals on the road. Tristan Blackmon’s goal in the third minute of stoppage time secured the draw, keeping Vancouver’s hopes alive. Pumas had initially taken the lead with Ignacio Pussetto’s goal, which was followed by a volleyed rebound from Pussetto after his initial header had been saved. Vancouver had previously gone ahead with a goal from Sebastian Berhalter.
The dramatic nature of both quarterfinals sets the stage for an intriguing semifinal matchup between Inter Miami and the Vancouver Whitecaps. The first leg will take place in Fort Lauderdale, with the return leg in Vancouver. Both teams have shown resilience and attacking prowess, and with a place in the final on the line, the two-legged series promises to be an exciting spectacle. Inter Miami, with Messi at the helm, will be the favorites, but Vancouver will undoubtedly pose a strong challenge, particularly after their gritty performance in Mexico. With the stakes higher than ever, both teams will be eager to claim a spot in the prestigious CONCACAF Champions Cup final.
