Inter Miami continued to make history as they became the first MLS team to reach the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup. This is the first time the club has ever reached this milestone! The team did just that during a thrilling third-goal rally victory over fellow Western Conference titans Los Angeles FC (LAFC) on Wednesday night. Lionel Messi proved just how crucial he is to the Argentine victory, showing just what makes him such a great leader and player on the pitch.
Inter Miami to a disastrous start in the match. In the ninth minute, an Aaron Long away goal gave LAFC a 1-0 lead. This strike gave LAFC a 2-0 aggregate advantage after their 1-0 victory in the first leg of the series last week. Even with the odds heavily stacked against them, Inter Miami pressed forward the entire game, looking to flip the script and do the impossible.
Messi started the comeback himself in the 35th minute, getting free just above the top of the 18-yard box. With a wonderful effort, he brought the match level at 1-1, restoring his team’s hope. This objective was very important as it opened up the floodgates for more Inter Miami attacks. As the match progressed, they required at least three goals from the hour mark to secure their advancement in the tournament.
The match got increasingly heated when Inter Miami gained a handball referee’s decision. This game-changing moment happened only six minutes before the final whistle. The referee gave Messi a red card penalty kick. He confidently rounded the keeper to turn it into a goal, putting Inter Miami up 3-1 and helping them clinch their place in the semifinals. This pivotal moment was a testament to Messi’s impact on the team’s ability to perform in high-pressure moments and cemented his reputation as a clutch player.
In addition to Messi’s contributions, goalkeeper Oscar Ustari made two critical saves in the final minutes of the match, ensuring that Inter Miami would not concede further goals. His playmaking was crucial in keeping the team’s lead and clinching the team’s landmark win.
Next up, Inter Miami will play either Mexico’s Pumas or the Vancouver Whitecaps in the CONCACAF tournament’s semifinals. The first part of this two-part contest is scheduled to start on April 22, 23, or 24.
