Chase Stadium – In an exhilarating, heart-pounding match, Inter Miami CF eliminated LAFC from CONCACAF Champions by a score of 3-1 (3-2) aggregate, led by Lionel Messi’s brace. Defender Noah Allen scored Miami’s other goal of the night. Aaron Long scored for LAFC early in the game to set up Inter Miami’s remarkable comeback win.
Starting XI
Javier Mascherano made changes to the starting lineup from Inter Miami’s previous match against Toronto FC. Oscar Ustari started in goal, with Jordi Alba, Maxi Falcon, Noah Allen, and Marcelo Weigandt manning the defense. Federico Redondo, Telasco Segovia, and Yannick Bright managed the midfield sans Sergio Busquets. Tadeo Allende, returning after a calf injury, along with Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi, formed the front line.
Tadeo Allende is back in the Starting XI for #InterMiamiCF ..Ustari starts in goal..Weigandt, Falcón, Allen slide in the back line…Redondo, Bright & Segovia will be key to Miami’s success or lack thereof tonight 🆚 LAFC…#MLS #Messi pic.twitter.com/PwH0sx1LVf
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) April 9, 2025
Match Action
The game began in the worst possible way for Inter Miami, as LAFC scored in the 10th minute via Aaron Long after Nathan Ordaz’s pass in front of the goal set him up. The quick goal placed the Herons in an uphill battle for the rest of the match.
LAFC gets on top with an important away goal..Looks like an #InterMiamiCF defender kept the play onside when initially it looked like it could have been offside…#MLS
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) April 10, 2025
The Miami crowd was stunned knowing the Herons would have to find a way to score three goals and prevent LA from scoring anymore. Lionel Messi had a free-kick goal called back after he executed the kick before the referee blew his whistle to restart play, after showing an LAFC player a yellow card. The referee seemed to validate the goal but was then apparently advised by the fourth referee to have Messi retake the shot as per protocol. Fortunately for Inter Miami, Messi would not be denied.
In the 35th minute, Luis Suarez served Messi a pass near the LA box, where he took a pair of touches and rocketed a shot into the top net for the 1-1 tie.
The GOAT 🐐 blasts one home to tie the match up! No calling this one back 1-1 35th minute…#MLS #Messi #InterMiamiCF
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) April 10, 2025
The half would end in a draw, setting up a spectacular second half for the fans.
Noah Allen seemed to flick a ball with wings over the LA defense that somehow ended inside the Angelino goal for the 2-1 Inter Miami lead in the 61st minute. Allen’s angelic attempt was helped by Federico Redondo’s rush on the ball that threw the LA goalkeeper’s concentration off for a split second, causing the ball to get passed him.
Redondo heads the ball ⚽️ in for the 2nd #InterMiamiCF goal after a crazy sequence of occurrences beforehand…Strange game, had to be #concacafchampionscup …#MLS #Messi
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) April 10, 2025
The comeback was not complete yet, and Miami would receive a penalty kick chance after an LA defender clumsily handled the ball with his arm inside the area. After VAR review, Miami was awarded the kick, and Lionel Messi nailed it for the 3-1 advantage in the 84th minute.
Clear penalty that after VAR, the referee sanctions,#Messi nails to give #InterMiamiCF the 3-1 lead! The GOAT 🐐 comes through in the clutch & under pressure… Brace for #Messi
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) April 10, 2025
LA had a couple of chances to ruin Miami’s comeback late in the game, but Oscar Ustari got the best of Bouanga both times to seal Miami’s win and kick LAFC out of the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Postgame
I was able to ask Luis Suarez, Tadeo Allende, Telasco Segovia, and Federico Redondo some questions in the mixed zone after the match.
Luis Suarez on how #Messi Jordi Alba & he transmitted calm to the young players on the pitch after receiving an early goal from LAFC…#InterMiamiCF #MLS pic.twitter.com/aH1F7ApoV5
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) April 11, 2025
Tadeo Allende on how he felt against LAFC in #ConcaChampions after coming back from injury…#MLS #InterMiamiCF pic.twitter.com/Xd35rm01tT
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) April 11, 2025
Telasco Segovia on #InterMiamiCF having young Herons Redondo, Bright, and himself starting together in such an important match, and what the veteran leaders said after going down 1-0 early in the game …#MLS #concacafchampionscup pic.twitter.com/YgpHNlvuDQ
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) April 11, 2025
Redondo on what #Messi said after #InterMiamiCF went down 1-0 early in the #ConcaChampions against LAFC…#MLS pic.twitter.com/UwI1jbbFG0
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) April 11, 2025
Final Thoughts
A wild and crazy night ended with a spectacular comeback victory for Miami, led by a Messi brace. It stuns me to read “fans” of Inter Miami and MLS questioning Messi’s greatness instead of enjoying it. I write this not as a fan or an Inter Miami CF beat writer, but as one who loves the “Beautiful Game.” There has never been anyone in the history of the sport to do what he has done and is still doing. Nearly 38, and he can still dominate on the pitch. Just enjoy. We might never see anyone like him again in Miami or the MLS.
Noah Allen is the hometown kid who has turned into a man in front of our eyes. His development and ascension as one of the best players on this squad have been truly amazing. Hard work, discipline, resilience, and confidence in himself have all led to where he is now.
Telasco Segovia, Federico Redondo, and Yannick Bright were able to hold down the midfield in the absence of the maestro, Sergio Busquets. They rose to the challenge and did not shy away from the moment. The Herons have three very talented young core players. The present and the future look promising for Inter Miami CF.
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