Lionel Messi delivered another masterclass on Wednesday night, scoring twice as Inter Miami roared back from a two-goal aggregate deficit to beat Los Angeles FC 3-1 and book their place in the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals.
In a game packed with drama, intensity, and late heroics, the Argentine legend once again reminded the football world that age is just a number — and class is permanent.
🔥 Messi the Maestro: Leading the Comeback
Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, Miami’s task got even tougher when Aaron Long gave LAFC an early lead in the 9th minute, making it 2-0 on aggregate. But if there’s one player you don’t want to give a mountain to climb, it’s Lionel Messi.
Messi pulled one back in the 35th minute, linking up beautifully with Luis Suárez, his old Barcelona partner, before curling a clinical finish into the far corner. At 37 years old, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner showed no signs of slowing down — if anything, he looked more determined than ever.
⚽ Twists, Turns & a Touch of Chaos
Inter Miami’s second goal came with a touch of fortune — a chipped ball from Noah Allen that everyone, including Hugo Lloris, missed as it floated into the net. With the game tied on aggregate but LAFC still ahead on away goals, Miami pushed harder.
A Suarez header that would have completed the comeback was ruled offside. But then came the moment: a VAR-reviewed handball in the box by LAFC’s Marlon gave Miami a penalty.
Ice-cool under pressure, Messi stepped up and buried the spot-kick in the 84th minute, sealing the comeback and sending the home crowd into delirium. Final score on the night: 3-1 to Miami, 3-2 on aggregate.
🗣️ Mascherano: “Messi Is the Soul of This Team”
Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano — Messi's former teammate for club and country — was full of praise.
“He’s the soul of this team. He’s done everything in football, but still shows the hunger to win every single match,” Mascherano said.
Indeed, it wasn’t just the goals — Messi was chasing down opponents, throwing himself into tackles, and leading by example in stoppage time. It was passion, grit, and genius all rolled into one performance.
💬 LAFC Left to Rue Missed Chances
For LAFC, the collapse was a bitter pill. Head coach Steve Cherundolo pointed to missed opportunities and the wild energy of the match:
“We had good chances to put it away. Then things get hectic... that's this competition, that's part of the experience.”
Winger Denis Bouanga was a constant threat for LAFC, but ultimately, their inability to finish the job cost them dearly.
🏆 Next Stop: Semifinals
Inter Miami’s dramatic turnaround has them just two games away from the Concacaf Champions Cup final — and potentially, another piece of silverware in the Messi era.
With the Argentine superstar in this kind of form, anything feels possible.
📊 Match Summary:
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Inter Miami 3–1 LAFC
(3–2 on aggregate)
Goals:
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Aaron Long (9’) – LAFC
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Lionel Messi (35’, 84’ pen) – Inter Miami
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Noah Allen (58’) – Inter Miami
💡 Messi's Impact at a Glance:
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2 Goals
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1 Disallowed Goal
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Countless inspirational moments
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Still the difference-maker at 37
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