Messi’s Double Sends Inter Miami to Semifinals
Lionel Messi scored twice, including an 84th-minute penalty, to lead Inter Miami to a 3-1 comeback win over Los Angeles FC in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The result gave the Herons a 3-2 aggregate victory in the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals.
After losing the first leg 1-0 in LA, Miami fell further behind when Aaron Long opened the scoring in the 9th minute. But Messi answered with a solo effort in the 35th, and assisted Noah Allen’s go-ahead goal in the 61st to even the series.
The decisive moment came via video review, which spotted a handball by LAFC’s Mark Delgado. Messi stepped up and calmly converted the penalty into the top right corner, sending Inter Miami to the semifinals, where they will meet the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Whitecaps Eliminate Pumas in Dramatic Finish
Tristan Blackmon scored in stoppage time to give Vancouver a 2-2 draw in Mexico City, which secured advancement over Pumas UNAM on away goals. The two-leg series finished 3-3 on aggregate, with the Whitecaps advancing thanks to a crucial road goal advantage.
After Sebastian Berhalter’s 33rd-minute strike was matched four minutes later by Pumas’ Guillermo Martinez, the teams stayed level until late drama unfolded. Ignacio Pussetto put Pumas ahead in the 88th minute, but Blackmon’s last-gasp volley off an Edier Ocampo cross clinched the result.
Goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka was a standout for Vancouver, making several key saves including one on a Pussetto header minutes before the equalizer.
