Messi’s Miracle Powers Inter Miami to Concacaf Champions Cup Semifinals – A Thrilling Comeback Victory

Wednesday’s Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal clash between Inter Miami CF and LAFC delivered a whirlwind of emotion, video review scrutiny, and on-field intensity, culminating in a truly unforgettable contest.

Lionel Messi, in yet another legendary performance, spearheaded Inter Miami’s dramatic 3-1 comeback win over LAFC (3-2 aggregate) in Leg 2 at Chase Stadium. The Argentine maestro scored twice and added an assist, securing a spot in the semifinals.

“We wanted to reach the semis and I think that was apparent,” said head coach Javier Mascherano postgame. “With mistakes and good moments, in the end, we wanted it more and we made it happen. I was telling [club owner] Jorge Mas that for a comeback like this one, luck needs to be on your side, and we had it.”

“This is why this sport is so beautiful. I want to thank the players for their effort, for dealing with adversity after receiving a goal five minutes into the game and have a difficult task in front of them. They believed they could turn it around and they did.” – Javier Mascherano

The Herons faced an uphill battle after Aaron Long’s early strike put LAFC ahead, forcing Inter Miami to chase three goals. Chaos erupted as Miami turned to Messi, navigating a wave of LAFC pressure while desperately seeking a lifeline.

“I don’t want to lie to myself or to anyone here,” Mascherano stated. “We knew the game got very difficult, but when I saw they couldn’t put the game away in those first 20 minutes and gave us a lifeline, and I saw Leo score that first goal that didn’t count, I saw we started to feel like we were taking control of the game.

“We were more in their half and I think that first-half goal allowed us at the break to say that we could score a second one.”

Messi’s brilliance shone through, converting a penalty and then assisting Noah Allen for the aggregate equalizer. He ultimately sealed the victory with another clinical penalty in the final minutes.

“He’s the soul of this team. There’s no doubt,” Mascherano said. “Sometimes I get uncomfortable talking about him because he’s been my teammate for over 20 years and now I have to help him in this role as coach. He’s done it all in the game. He’s the greatest in history and he still sets the example of how to compete, showing the way. He is always going to want to win and he’ll do the impossible to win.

“Besides that, because the game is not just about wanting it, it’s about having the capabilities and he’s got that because he’s the greatest of all time. I’m just thankful to have been able to play with him as long as I did and now in this last stage, I get to see him train and try to help him continue competing and being happy.”

Game of the Year?

The match was undeniably a spectacle, with a frenetic pace and continuous drama. However, for Mascherano, the intensity was almost overwhelming.

“The level of this game was too high because we faced a team that – they play really, really well, with great players and we had to come back and that never in football is easy when you have to come back and then hold the game. That was difficult for us,” Mascherano admitted.

Despite the early setback, Miami’s unwavering belief, spearheaded by Messi, propelled them back into contention. The pressure visibly shifted from the home side to the visitors, setting the stage for the second-half resurgence.

“I think that the first 25 minutes they were much better than us. Maybe they deserved to score another goal,” Mascherano continued. “They didn’t. They gave us one more life and then we did our job.

“In football, sometimes you have to suffer the moment, try to give the high mentality because we knew that if we scored one goal, maybe they were going to be nervous because they know that also we have good players, good team and players that they know how to compete. So I think it was, at the end, a great night for us, so just to congratulate my team to the players. I’m very happy for them.”

Up Next: Vancouver

Inter Miami’s victory secures a trip to the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals, where they will face Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

The Whitecaps, having stunned LIGA MX side Pumas UNAM with a dramatic late goal in the second leg of their quarterfinal series, await in the final.

“We want to win this tournament,” Allen said on the postgame broadcast. “It’s been a goal since the beginning of the year, since the first day of preseason. It’s our biggest goal right now and I feel like this was the perfect performance to go into the semifinal. Obviously we went down in the first 15 minutes and it was frustrating, but we kept our heads, we didn’t let it get to each other.

“They’re a great team, they have a great coach, they have great players, so we knew it was going to be difficult and they made it difficult. But we just showed our quality, we just showed our togetherness and when we have this type of togetherness, we can win the whole tournament.”

The semifinal showdown against Vancouver promises another epic clash between MLS and LIGA MX.

FAQ

• When will Inter Miami play Vancouver? The semifinal match date is yet to be announced.
• What is the result of the first leg between Inter Miami and LAFC? LAFC won 2-1.
• Who is Lionel Messi’s primary role for Inter Miami? He is their designated player and focal point of attack.

Did you know?

This season represents Inter Miami’s first foray into the Concacaf Champions Cup, marking a significant milestone in the club’s history.

Call to Action

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