The Argentine scored twice and played a key role in a third to spark a furious comeback in the Champions Cup
Lionel Messi played hero in yet another memorable night of football, scoring twice and orchestrating a third to lead Inter Miami to a 3-2 aggregate win over LAFC and book a spot in the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals. The home side came into the evening trailing 1-0 in the tie after losing the first leg, and after conceding early, had to score three to advance. But Messi worked his typical magic, playing a role in each goal to keep his team alive in a tournament they are favorites to win.
LAFC took the lead inside 10 minutes, Aaron Long hooking a volley into the far corner after Inter Miami failed to clear a set piece. Miami responded, though. They thought they had an equalizer when Messi curled in a free-kick — but saw the goal chalked off after VAR determined the referee hadn't blown the whistle. Messi didn't need long after that to level things, though, weaving through the LAFC defense before finding the top corner with a curled effort.
Miami came alive in the second half. Messi started picking up dangerous pockets of space. Suarez had a long-range effort saved. Jordi Alba clipped the post. Noah Allen grabbed the second, his dinked pass evading two defenders and Tadeo Allende before trickling into the net. Suarez thought he had a decisive third after 70 minutes, but saw a deft flicked header ruled out for a narrow offside. Messi ultimately, inevitably, provided the killer blow. LAFC center back Marlon handled the ball in the box in the 83rd minute. The Argentine stepped up from the spot. LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris didn't move and Messi clipped the ball past him.
There was still drama to be found. Veteran goalkeeper Oscar Ustari made two immense saves for . Tackles flew in. Referee Cesar Ramos was routinely surrounded by angry men. But Miami, amid it all, held on, and, with Messi at the helm, can almost taste Javier Mascherano's first trophy in club management.
GOAL rates Inter Miami's players from Chase Stadium…
GettyGoalkeeper & Defense
Oscar Ustari (7/10):
Got caught between minds in the LAFC goal, redeemed himself with two vital saves in the final minutes.
Marcelo Weigandt (6/10):
Given a real headache by Denis Bouanga early on, but settled in thereafter.
Maximiliano Falcon (7/10):
Looked like he wanted to get sent off at times, really flying into tackles. But Miami needed that grit.
Noah Allen (8/10):
Scored what might be the most important goal of his Miami career – even if he didn't mean it. Really composed at the back otherwise.
Jordi Alba (7/10):
Full of energy and attacking thrust on the left. Put in a few key tackles, too.
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Yannick Bright (7/10):
Flew into tackles and put out fires everywhere. A really good hour of work until he ran out of gas.
Federico Redondo (7/10):
Full of legs in center midfield. Helped Miami hold things down after a far too frantic start.
Telasco Segovia (6/10):
A bit lacking in his usual attacking quality on the wing. Could have delivered a better pass on a few occasions.
Tadeo Allende (7/10):
Very quiet when Miami had the ball. Completed just 13 passes all evening. But indispensable off it, helping cover ground for the immobile Suarez.
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Lionel Messi (10/10):
Scored a really very silly goal. Created chaos in between, and buried the winning penalty. Magical, match-winning, and so, so, so predictable.
Luis Suarez (6/10):
A bit all over the place. Caused problems with his movement, unfortunate to have a goal ruled out, but looked awfully slow at times.
GettySubs & Manager
Benjamin Cremaschi (7/10):
Immediately up for the fight. Played a role in winning the corner in the run up to the third.
Tomas Aviles (N/A):
Late legs to shore up the defense.
Gonzalo Lujan (N/A):
Made an important clearance late.
Fafa Picault (N/A):
No time to make an impact.
Javier Mascherano (9/10):
His finest moment in management to date. He set up a bit cautiously, packed the midfield, and got the most out of his star. Wonderfully done. Bring on the semis.
