Lionel Messi Double Powers Inter Miami Past Los Angeles FC Into CONCACAF Champions Cup Semi-Final

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Lionel Messi double strike helped Inter Miami seal a berth in the CONCACAF Champions Cup 2025 semi-final with a 3-1 win (3-2 on aggregate) against Los Angeles FC at the Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Trailing 0-1 after a disappointing first leg in Los Angeles, Messi and Co found themselves in big trouble when Aaron Long put LAFC ahead in the ninth minute of the second leg of the quarter-final on Wednesday (April 9) night.

Messi then got Miami back into the game with a sweet strike from outside the box finding the right top corner in the 35th minute, but Javier Mascherano's side still needed two more goals to overcome the deficit on aggregate.

Midfielder Federico Redondo gave Inter Miami the lead in the 61st minute heading over Los Angeles keeper Hugo Lloris after a Noah Allen chipped a ball into the box. Inter Miami need another goal to take an overall lead at that stage.

Five minutes from taking the lead on the night, Miami thought they had the all important third goal when Luis Suarez headed in a cross from Messi but the assistant referee ruled the Uruguayan forward as offside, ruling out the goal which was scored in the 66th minute.

However, Inter Miami's third goal eventully came when they received a lifeline after a successful appeal for a handball by Marlon in a crowded LAFC box. A video assistant referee (VAR) review found that the Brazilian defender had indeed handled the ball, providing Miami with a great chance of taking a late leat.

Messi made no mistake and tucked the 84th minute spot kick into the corner to complete the comeback for Miami and earn them a place in the last four. LAFC went close on three occasions to grabbing a winner in the dying minutes.

But Miami stopper Oscar Ustari who was tested by a Ryan Hollingshead header, also kept out the efforts from Denis Bouanga twice in the closing minutes. Messi and Inter Miami await the winners of the quarter-final between Pumas UNAM (Mexico) and Vancouver Whitecaps FC to book their trip to the tournament final.