By Sachit Subba • Football • Apr 10, 2025 05:32 AM • 126 views
Fort Lauderdale –Inter Miami booked their place in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup with a thrilling 3-2 aggregate win over Los Angeles FC, capped by a spirited 3-1 comeback in the second leg at Chase Stadium on Thursday night.
Trailing 1-0 from the first leg in Los Angeles, Miami turned the tie on its head in front of a raucous home crowd, thanks to a vintage performance from captain Lionel Messi, who netted a brace, and a crucial second-half strike from Noah Allen.
LAFC struck first, extending their aggregate lead in the 9th minute when Aaron Long capitalized on a defensive lapse to fire the visitors ahead. But Messi pulled Miami level on the night in the 35th minute, curling a low shot into the bottom corner to ignite the comeback. 
In the 61st minute, Allen finished a flowing attacking move to give Miami a 2-1 lead on the night and level the aggregate score. With the pressure mounting late, Messi stepped up again—coolly converting a penalty in the 84th minute to seal the 3-1 win and send Inter Miami through 3-2 on aggregate.
Miami has advanced to the Champions Cup semifinals for the first time in club history, riding the brilliance of its Argentine superstar and a growing belief that it can go all the way.
