A first-half goal from Lionel Messi set the tone as Inter Miami began the second leg of its Concacaf Champions Cup matchup against Sporting Kansas City on Tuesday in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
The goal came in the 19th minute, as Messi collected the ball in the center circle after Miami played a short goal kick. He sprayed a long through ball between Kansas City defenders Daniel Rosero and Jake Davis, which Luis Suarez collected at the corner of the box as Davis converged.
The Uruguayan stalled just long enough for Messi to stroll entirely unmarked to the edge of box. With a full 5 or more yards between the Argentine legend and any defender, Messi chested the ball down toward his left foot and, on its bounce, powered a low volley beyond the goalkeeper’s near post.
BANGERS ONLY 🚀
Messi with a GOLAZO to put @InterMiamiCF up 2-0 on aggregate! #ChampionsCuppic.twitter.com/NWGnBiXzyM
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) February 26, 2025
It was an emphatic statement made with the match’s first shot. To its credit, Kansas City didn’t appear willing to back down, having lost last week’s first leg 1-0 at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan. The visitors took the next seven attempts in Tuesday night’s second segment following Messi’s opener, placing three of them on target.
Unfortunately for Peter Vermes’ side, Miami’s next two shots were as potent as their first. Tadeo Allende, who is on loan from La Liga side Celta Vigo, extended the lead to 2-0 in the first minute of first-half stoppage time after a generous assist from Jordi Alba. Suárez ensured Miami had a three-goal cushion entering the break by scoring in the third minute of stoppage, pouncing on a shanked clearance attempt from Davis and eventually forcing the ball into goal while nearly parallel to the ground.
Luis Suarez doing what he does best ⚽️
He makes it 4-0 on aggregate for @InterMiamiCF. #ChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/5JwHX0XUeo
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) February 26, 2025
Miami seems poised to advance to the Concacaf Champions Cup’s round of 16, where they’d face Jamaica Premier League side Cavalier SC. The reigning MLS Supporters’ Shield winner would host the first leg on Wednesday, March 5 before travel to Kingston for the second leg on March 13.
This story will be updated following the conclusion of Tuesday’s match.
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(Photo: Leonardo Fernandez / Getty Images)
