Messi's brace powers Inter to epic comeback in the Champions Cup

Powered by another standout performance from Lionel Messi, Inter Miami defeated Los Angeles FC 3-1 on Wednesday (3-2 on aggregate) to advance to the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup, where they’ll face the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Inter’s rival in the MLS, the Canadian team, earned a 2-2 tie against Mexico’s Pumas thanks to a late stoppage-time goal.

In Fort Lauderdale, Inter overturned a three-goal deficit, fueled by the relentless magic of 37-year-old Lionel Messi, who once again came to the rescue with two goals—one of them from the penalty spot.

Los Angeles FC (LAFC), winners of the first leg of the quarterfinal, extended their lead in the ninth minute when defender Aaron Long capitalized on a defensive lapse by the home side.

Messi, Luis Suárez, and Jordi Alba’s side were on the ropes, needing three goals to advance due to the away goals rule.

LAFC had multiple chances to put the tie out of reach on the counterattack, but Inter responded in the 31st minute when Messi curled a free kick into the net, catching the visiting defenders in the wall off guard.

Mexican referee César Arturo Ramos initially appeared to allow the goal but then disallowed it, ruling that he had not yet given permission for the free kick to be taken.

Another brace in front of Lloris

Just four minutes later, the Argentine star leveled the score with a quick one-two with Uruguay’s Luis Suárez, finishing with a trademark left-footed strike from the edge of the box.

Inter edged closer to completing the comeback in the 61st minute with a bizarre goal from Noah Allen, whose cross slipped past French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and eluded a header attempt by Argentine Federico Redondo before finding the net.

In the 67th minute, Suárez found the net with a header, but the goal was ruled out for a barely noticeable offside, just millimeters beyond the line.

With LAFC unable to respond, Inter were rewarded with a penalty after Brazilian defender Marlon was penalized for a handball.

Messi stepped up to take the penalty, facing off once again with Hugo Lloris, who had previously been beaten by Messi in a penalty shootout during Argentina's World Cup final victory over France in Qatar 2022.

In the 84th minute, the Argentine completed his brace—just like in that thrilling World Cup final—putting the home side ahead in the tie.

With Inter co-owner David Beckham nervously looking on, goalkeeper Ustari sealed the home side’s victory, making two agonizingly vital saves from Bouanga in the final moments.

Vancouver puts Pumas to the sword

Inter, who were eliminated in the quarterfinals in their tournament debut last year, will now battle for a spot in the final against an unexpected foe, the Vancouver Whitecaps.

The Canadian side secured their spot with a dramatic 2-2 draw (3-3 on aggregate) at Mexican club Pumas, thanks to a last-minute goal by Tristan Blackmon in the 90+3rd minute—an agonizing blow to a University Olympic Stadium that was primed to celebrate their qualification.

The Aztecs had taken the lead in the 88th minute through Argentine Ignacio Pussetto, but Vancouver snatched the qualification away in dramatic fashion with a last-ditch ball into the Pumas box. Tristan Blackmon outmuscled the center-backs to score in the six-yard box, securing the win.

Earlier, Sebastián Berhalter had put the Whitecaps ahead with an acrobatic finish in the 33rd minute, only for Mexico’s Guillermo Martínez to equalize four minutes later, pouncing on a rebound after Panama’s Adalberto Carrasquilla's shot was saved by the goalkeeper.

Mexico’s Tigres and Cruz Azul will face off in the other semifinal of the tournament, which offers a coveted spot in the expanded 2029 Club World Cup.