CONCACAF Champions Cup: Lionel Messi scores as Miami advances
Feb 25, 2025; Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA; Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) celebrates after scoring against Sporting Kansas City during the first half in Round One of the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup at Chase Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Luis Suarez and second-half substitute Lionel Messi scored as Inter Miami beat Cavalier SC 2-0 on Thursday in Kingston, Jamaica, to win a CONCACAF Champions Cup round of 16 series.
Miami completed a 4-0 aggregate victory, having prevailed 2-0 at home last week to open the two-game, total-goal set.
Messi, who sat out the team's previous three games because of fatigue, subbed in for Suarez in the 53rd minute.
Suarez had opened the night's scoring with a penalty kick in the 37th minute after teammate Tadeo Allende was tripped by Christopher Ainsworth in the 18-yard box.
In the final seconds of second-half stoppage time, Santiago Morales delivered a pass to Messi, who was charging into the Cavalier penalty area. Messi rolled a left-footed shot past goalie Vino Barclett.
Inter Miami advance to oppose Los Angeles FC in the quarterfinals next month.
--Field Level Media
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