Messi’s two goals take Miami to semifinals

Lionel Messi scored twice in the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals, helping his team Inter Miami win the match on Thursday (April 10).

Miami defeated Los Angeles FC (LAFC) 3-1 at Chase Stadium. With this win, they advanced to the semifinals with a 3-2 lead over two legs.

In the first leg, Messi’s team had lost 1-0 to LAFC. In the second leg, Miami conceded a goal early in the 9th minute, making their chances of reaching the semifinals look uncertain. But then, Argentine superstar Lionel Messi stepped up and led a brilliant comeback with two goals to secure their place in the next round.

Messi scored his first goal in the 35th minute at Miami’s home ground. His magical left-footed shot from outside the penalty box levelled the score at 1-1. In the 61st minute, Miami took a 2-1 lead. Messi chipped the ball towards Federico Redondo inside the box. Thinking Redondo would shoot, LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris came off his line, but the ball rolled into the net past both players.

In the 67th minute, Luis Suárez headed the ball into the net from a Messi pass, but the goal was disallowed for offside. Later, Miami got another chance when LAFC’s Brazilian player Marlon handled the ball inside the box, earning Miami a penalty. Messi scored from the spot in the 84th minute, sealing the win and sending Miami to the semifinals.