🏆 Inter Miami 3–1 LAFC (Agg. 3–2): Messi Delivers as Miami Makes History
MIAMI — On a night when Inter Miami needed a miracle, Lionel Messi answered the call.
Trailing 1–0 from the first leg and conceding early again to LAFC, Miami mounted a stunning comeback to win 3–1 at DRV PNK Stadium, advancing to the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals for the first time in club history.
At the center of the turnaround? No surprise — Messi, who scored the match-winner from the penalty spot in the 84th minute and orchestrated the entire comeback.
🗣️ Mascherano: “Messi is the Soul of This Team”
Head coach Javier Mascherano, a longtime friend and teammate of Messi, gave an emotional post-match quote:
“Messi is the soul of this team… Even after winning everything, he still wants more. That’s the difference — the desire, the ability, and the mentality.”
🔁 From 2-0 Down to 3-2 Up: A Classic Comeback
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9th min: LAFC score to go up 2–0 on aggregate
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22nd min: Noah Allen pulls one back
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68th min: Inter equalize the tie
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84th min: Messi steps up and converts the penalty
Striker Luis Suárez said Messi’s calm was contagious:
“He told us to stay calm. Even after they scored, he believed. And that belief spread.”
🎙️ LAFC Coach: “You Can’t Give Messi Space”
LAFC’s Steve Cherundolo admitted they gave Messi too much room in the second half:
“He punishes you. What makes him dangerous is not just the goals — it’s how he lifts the whole team.”
🔜 Next: Inter Miami vs. Pumas UNAM in Semifinals
With this win, Miami avenges last year’s quarterfinal heartbreak and now face Pumas UNAM of Liga MX in the semifinals. A chance to reach the Concacaf Champions Cup final is just two matches away.
