Messi Leads Inter Miami to Semifinals with 3-1 Comeback Win over LAFC

Lionel Messi delivered a match-winning performance as Inter Miami defeated LAFC 3-1 in the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarter-finals at Chase Stadium.

Trailing 0-1 on aggregate, the Herons faced a major setback when Aaron Long gave LAFC an early lead in the 9th minute. But Messi quickly restored hope, netting the equalizer in the 35th minute with his trademark precision.

Noah Allen pushed Miami ahead in the 61st minute before Messi sealed the comeback with a coolly taken penalty in the 84th minute. Inter Miami had two more goals ruled out by VAR — one from Messi in the 32nd minute and another by Luis Suarez in the 67th.

The 3-1 victory secured a 3-2 aggregate win for Inter Miami, sending them into the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup — a major statement in their continental campaign.