Lionel Messi was among the goalscorers as Inter Miami cruised into the last 16 of the CONCACAF Champions Cup with a 3-1 second leg win over Sporting Kansas City.
Messi’s solitary goal in the first leg last week put the South Florida team in control of the tie and they duly advanced with a strong performance in the return at Chase Stadium.
Messi, who was fined an undisclosed amount earlier in the day by MLS for his part in a clash with New York City FC assistant Mehdi Ballouchy at the weekend, opened the scoring with a superb goal in the 19th minute.
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Messi nets opener
The Argentina superstar received the ball from Luis Suarez on the edge of the area, took a touch and then rifled it left-footed into the right-hand corner.
QUE GOLAZO QUE HICISTE LIONEL 😮💨🐐✨ pic.twitter.com/IhCA2zLezh
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) February 26, 2025
Tadeo Allende effectively killed the tie with Miami’s second in first-half injury-time, poking home Jordi Alba’s left-wing cross.
The third came not long after, Suarez showing his power to hold off his marker and fire home.
Luis Suárez nos da el tercero de la noche ⚽⚽⚽😮💨 pic.twitter.com/1CmMu6TGhF
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) February 26, 2025
Memo Rodriguez pulled one back 18 minutes into the second half but it did not affect the outcome as Miami progressed through to a tie with Jamaican side Cavalier.
Mascherano full of praise for resilient Miami
Miami boss Javier Mascherano was delighted with his side’s efforts, particularly as they had to play with 10 men for the bulk of Saturday’s draw with NYC.
He said: “What excites me about this team is how it competes. It played with 10 players for 80 minutes, and today, after 72 hours, it competed again, doing so in the best way possible – that’s what we need.
“In the end, it’s about being together and united. Everyone who gets a chance has to give their best. To compete in all the tournaments we’re in, we’re going to need everyone, and we need everyone to be at their best.”
Miami’s next game comes on Sunday when they visit Houston Dynamo in MLS.
