Lionel Messi delivered another masterclass as Inter Miami staged a dramatic comeback to secure a 3-1 win over Los Angeles FC, overturning a 2-0 deficit on aggregate to reach the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
The Argentine legend netted twice, including a decisive penalty in the 84th minute, sealing a 3-2 aggregate victory in a thrilling and chaotic encounter.
At 37 years old, Messi continues to show his ability to influence games with both his technical brilliance and fierce determination.
In the dying minutes of stoppage time, he was relentless in his pursuit of the ball, chasing down opponents and putting in crucial tackles to ensure Miami’s progression.
Messi’s performance left his coach and former Argentina and Barcelona teammate, Javier Mascherano, in awe.
He described Messi as the “soul” of the team, saying, “He’s a guy who has already done everything in football, he’s the greatest in history and he continues to set an example of how to compete. Until the last day he plays on a pitch, he’s going to want to win and he’s going to do the impossible to win. And it’s not just about wanting to, you also have to be able to, and he has that ability.”
Miami were in an uphill battle from the start, having lost the first leg 1-0 in California. They found themselves in even more trouble when Aaron Long put LAFC ahead in the ninth minute, scoring after a scramble in the box.
The away goals rule meant Miami needed three goals to stay alive in the competition.
Messi thought he had reduced the deficit when he curled a free-kick into the net while LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris was still setting up the wall, but the goal was ruled out after some confusion.
However, Messi didn’t have to wait long to get on the scoresheet, connecting with his former Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez for a well-executed one-two before slotting the ball into the far corner in the 35th minute.
Despite their best efforts, Miami still needed two more goals in the second half. They went 2-1 up on the night when Noah Allen’s chipped ball found its way into the net after neither LAFC keeper Lloris nor Miami midfielder Federico Redondo could make contact with it.
The crowd thought they had their third when Suarez headed in a Messi cross, but the linesman flagged him offside.
Then came the turning point: after a VAR review, the referee awarded Miami a penalty for a handball by LAFC’s Marlon in the box.
Messi confidently stepped up and slotted the spot-kick into the corner in the 84th minute, completing the comeback and sending Miami through to the semi-finals.
LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo admitted his team had paid the price for not extending their lead. “We created some high-quality chances throughout the match and then it gets hectic. You know there’s antics on the sidelines with the referees and benches, that’s the standard here and in this competition that’s part of it,” he said.
Mascherano acknowledged his team still had room for improvement but was proud of the fight they displayed.
“We have a lot of things to improve but this is the way. This is the way to play football. We tried to give everything, 100%, with some mistakes but… until the end fighting, giving everything,” he said.
