Lionel Messi scored twice as Inter Miami pulled off a dramatic 3-1 win over Los Angeles FC on Wednesday, overturning a 2-0 aggregate deficit to reach the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup with a 3-2 overall victory.
Trailing 1-0 from the first leg and falling further behind when Aaron Long scored for LAFC in the 9th minute, Miami needed three goals to advance due to the away goals rule. Messi stepped up, first linking with former Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez to equalize in the 35th minute with a clever finish into the far corner.
The comeback continued in the second half when Noah Allen’s chipped ball into the box skipped past everyone, including LAFC keeper Hugo Lloris, to give Miami a 2-1 lead on the night. A potential third goal from Suarez was disallowed for offside.
Miami’s breakthrough came in the 84th minute after a VAR review confirmed a handball by LAFC defender Marlon. Messi calmly slotted in the penalty to seal the win and send Inter Miami into the semi-finals.
The match was chaotic and tense until the final whistle, with Messi showcasing not just his technical brilliance at age 37, but also his hunger and intensity—chasing down opponents in stoppage time.
Miami coach Javier Mascherano, Messi’s former Argentina and Barcelona teammate, called him “the soul of the team.”
“He’s already achieved everything in football, yet he still plays like he has something to prove,” said Mascherano. “He wants to win until his last day on the pitch—and he still has the ability to do it.”
LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo admitted his team missed chances to put the game away early and got caught up in the chaotic pace of the match.
Despite Miami’s flaws, Mascherano praised his squad’s spirit: “We made mistakes, but we gave everything—and that’s the way to play football.”
It was a nice game