Lionel Messi’s late penalty capped a thrilling Inter Miami comeback, securing a 3-1 victory over Los Angeles FC in Fort Lauderdale and sending the Herons to the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals.
The win, a 3-2 aggregate triumph, came after Miami had fallen 1-0 in the first leg in Los Angeles.
Inter Miami will now face the Vancouver Whitecaps in the two-legged semifinal. The Whitecaps advanced on away goals after a dramatic 2-2 draw with Pumas UNAM in Mexico City, finishing the series 3-3 on aggregate.
LAFC initially extended their aggregate lead when Aaron Long volleyed home from close range in the ninth minute, putting Miami down 2-0 overall. However, Messi, as he so often does, sparked the comeback.
In the 35th minute, Messi received a pass near the edge of the box, skillfully dribbled past a defender, and unleashed a left-footed strike into the net, reigniting Miami’s hopes. The series was leveled in the 61st minute when Noah Allen, assisted by Messi, chipped a shot toward the goal that eluded everyone and bounced in.
The decisive moment arrived in the 84th minute. A video review determined that Mark Delgado had committed a handball in the penalty area, giving Miami a golden opportunity. Messi calmly stepped up and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way, slotting the ball into the top right corner to seal the victory.
Whitecaps advance in dramatic fashion
In Mexico City, the Vancouver Whitecaps also advanced to the semifinals in dramatic fashion. Tristan Blackmon’s goal in the third minute of second-half stoppage time secured a 2-2 draw against Pumas UNAM, allowing Vancouver to progress on the away-goal tiebreaker.
After Ignacio Pussetto put Pumas ahead late, Blackmon fired home from an Edier Ocampo cross. Pumas took the lead when Pussetto volleyed in a rebound after his initial header was saved. Sebastian Berhalter had earlier given Vancouver the lead.
The stage is now set for an intriguing semifinal matchup between Inter Miami and the Vancouver Whitecaps, with a spot in the CONCACAF Champions Cup final on the line.
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