Lionel Messi and Inter Miami will take off the three goal rally to Top Los Angeles FC to make the Concacaf Champions Cup semi-finals.
Intermiami headed for the CONCACAF Champions Cup semi-finals for the first time after Lionel Messi led a dramatic three-goal comeback against Los Angeles FC (LAFC).
The Argentine star had two goals, including a series-packed penalty kick in the 84th minute, lifting Intermiami 3-1 past LAFC on Wednesday night, earning a 3-2 total victory in a two-leg matchup.
“We gave it all,” Intermiami coach Javier Mascherano said. “We wanted that, we wanted to be in the semi-finals, and I think that was shown.
Aaron Long’s goal in the 9th minute on Wednesday surprised Intermiami, handing LAFC a 2-0 tally lead early in the return leg as Intermiami had already lost its series opener at LAFC 1-0 last week.
This meant that Intermiami needed at least three goals from there. That may have seemed unlikely.
With Messi, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, everything is possible.
Messi began the rally in the 35th minute, slowly loosening near the top of the 18-yard box and kickstarting Miami’s comeback to tie the match 1-1.
After the time mark, Allen took a pass from Messi outside the Los Angeles penalty area and chipped the ball towards the net. The ball escaped everyone and bounced back into the net.
Intermiami maintained pressure overall and then successfully debated a full-time, six-minute handball call that saw Messi reach a 3-1 lead and spot in the semi-finals. It was his 42nd goal in 48 appearances in all competitions since joining Intermiami.
“This is the way,” Mascherano said. “This is how we play football. … They gave it everything. I’m so happy.”
Goalkeeper Oscar Ustali made two major stops in Intermiami’s final minutes, facing Mexican club Pumas or Vancouver’s Whitecaps in the semi-finals of the Conca Caff Tournament.
The first leg of that two-leg matchup is set to start on April 22nd, 23rd or 24th.
