Inter Miami CF’s journey to the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals was nothing short of dramatic. Facing LAFC in the quarterfinals, they found themselves down 1-0 early, a deficit that was made even more significant by their 1-0 loss in the first leg. This meant they needed at least three goals to advance, a seemingly insurmountable task. However, with Lionel Messi leading the charge, the impossible became reality.
Messi ignited the comeback in the 35th minute, showcasing his exceptional skill with a left-footed goal to tie the score. This was his 41st goal in just 48 appearances for Inter Miami, a testament to his continued brilliance. The momentum shifted, and hope surged through the Miami camp.
Further fueling the comeback, Noah Allen’s fortunate chip shot in the 61st minute put Inter Miami ahead 2-1 on the night, and tied the aggregate score at 2-2. Although LAFC still held the advantage due to the away-goals tiebreaker, the tide had fully turned. A near-goal by Luis Suarez in the 67th minute was unfortunately ruled offside, but the intensity remained high.
Then, in a moment reminiscent of his World Cup heroics, Messi stepped up to take a penalty kick in the 84th minute. The penalty, awarded after a VAR review confirmed a handball, sealed the deal, giving Inter Miami a 3-1 victory and a 3-2 aggregate win. The match ended with Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano punching the air in jubilant celebration, a fitting end to a thrilling comeback fueled by Messi’s undeniable talent.
The victory over LAFC, featuring a penalty save by Oscar Ustari in the final minutes, sets up a semifinal clash against either Pumas or the Vancouver Whitecaps. The first leg of this exciting matchup is scheduled for April 22nd, 23rd, or 24th, promising more captivating football from Inter Miami and their star player, Lionel Messi. This match truly highlighted the power of Messi’s presence on the field, proving once again that he can deliver even in the most challenging situations.
