Lionel Messi once again proved he’s the heartbeat of Inter Miami, scoring a brace to seal a dramatic comeback victory over LAFC and propel his side into the semi-finals of the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Trailing 2-0 on aggregate early in the second leg, Messi led from the front to overturn the deficit with a 3-1 win on the
night and a 3-2 victory on aggregate. LAFC appeared to have one foot in the semi-finals when Aaron Long struck in
the ninth minute, extending their lead to 2-0. The goal, bolstered by the away goals rule, meant Inter Miami needed to
score three times to survive.
The hosts, backed by a packed Chase Stadium, dug deep, with Messi sparking the resurgence just before halftime
with a classy one-two combination with Luis Suárez. In the second half, chaos and intensity reigned as both sides
pushed for the decisive goal. Miami drew level on the night through a bizarre goal from Noah Allen that bypassed
both Federico Redondo and LAFC keeper Hugo Lloris.
You may also like: ARGENTINA WINS COPA AMERICA DESPITE LIONEL MESSI’S INJURY
Luis Suárez thought he had delivered the killer blow but was ruled offside, keeping tensions high. It was Messi who
ultimately had the final say. After a VAR review confirmed a handball in the box, the Argentine calmly converted from
the penalty spot in the 84th minute, securing a famous comeback.
His aggressive pressing in the closing moments exemplified his commitment, even at 37, drawing praise from coach
Javier Mascherano, who hailed him as the “soul” of the team.
LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo admitted his side failed to capitalize on their early advantage, lamenting missed
opportunities and the game’s frantic pace. Despite their strong start, LAFC couldn’t match the late-game urgency shown by Messi and Miami.
