Inter Miami has advanced to the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals for the first time following a dramatic three-goal comeback against Los Angeles FC (LAFC), led by Lionel Messi.
The Argentine superstar scored twice, including the decisive penalty kick in the 84th minute, helping Inter Miami secure a 3-1 victory on Wednesday night and a 3-2 aggregate win in the two-leg matchup.
“We gave it our all,” Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said. “We wanted it, we wanted to be in the semis, and I think it showed. Many times luck has to be on your side, and we had it.”
Inter Miami entered the match already trailing after losing the series opener 1-0 at LAFC last week. Their situation worsened when Aaron Long scored an away goal in the ninth minute, giving LAFC a commanding 2-0 aggregate lead early in the return leg.
Facing the need to score at least three goals to advance, Inter Miami’s prospects seemed challenging. However, with Messiโan eight-time Ballon d’Or winnerโanything was possible.
Messi initiated the comeback in the 35th minute, finding space near the top of the 18-yard box to level the match at 1-1, setting the stage for Miami’s rally.
After the hour mark, Allen received a pass from Messi outside the Los Angeles penalty area and chipped the ball toward the net. The ball evaded everyone and bounced into the goal.
Inter Miami maintained pressure throughout the match and successfully argued for a handball call six minutes before full time. Messi converted the resulting penalty for a 3-1 lead, securing their semifinal berth. This marked his 42nd goal in 48 appearances across all competitions since joining Inter Miami.
“This is the way,” Mascherano said. “This is the way to play football. They gave everything. I’m very happy.”
Goalkeeper Oscar Ustari made two crucial saves in the final minutes for Inter Miami, who will face either Mexican club Pumas or the Vancouver Whitecaps in the CONCACAF tournament’s semifinals.
The first leg of that two-leg semifinal matchup is scheduled to begin on either April 22, 23, or 24.
About the author
Irish Government Finally Unlocks Secret Files On Omagh Bombing
The Irish Government and Omagh Bombing Inquiry have established a formal agreement to allow investigators access to information held by the Irish State about the 1998 bombing that killed 29 people. A Memorandum of Understanding outlines arrangements for information sharing, with the Department of Justice creating a central contact point to handle all information requests. Further discussions will address additional cooperation, including whether witnesses from the Republic of Ireland will testify. Families of victims have demanded full disclosure of relevant intelligence from the Irish Government regarding the bombing, which occurred as dissident republicans attempted to derail the peace process following the Good Friday Agreement. Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan described the agreement as "an important step forward" that serves "the best interests of the victims' families and survivors." He noted that his department is already managing information requests and engaging with […]
Trump Threatens Harvard Tax Status After University Defies Federal Demands
President Donald Trump has escalated his confrontation with Harvard University, suggesting the institution should lose its tax-exempt status just hours after his administration froze over $2 billion in federal funding to the school. The White House has demanded Harvard implement significant changes to its hiring, admissions, and teaching practices, ostensibly to combat antisemitism on campus. Since returning to office, Trump has targeted elite universities by threatening to withhold federal research funds unless they comply with his administration's requirements. Harvard became the first major US university to reject these demands on Monday, with university officials accusing the White House of attempting to "control" their community. Trump responded Tuesday morning on Truth Social, targeting Harvard's valuable tax exemption: "Perhaps Harvard should lose its Tax Exempt Status and be Taxed as a Political Entity if it keeps pushing political, ideological, and terrorist inspired/supporting […]
Prison Gunfire Attacks Signal Drug Lords Fighting Back Against Government
Vehicles were set ablaze outside multiple French prisons and one facility was hit by automatic weapon gunfire during a series of overnight attacks across the country. Justice Minister Gรฉrald Darmanin described the incidents as "intimidation attempts" and connected them to the government's intensifying efforts against drug trafficking operations. According to Le Parisien newspaper, seven prison facilities were targeted in the coordinated attacks: three in southern France (Toulon, Aix-En-Provence, and Marseille), two more in the south (Valence and Nรฎmes), and two near Paris (Villepinte and Nanterre). France's national anti-terrorism prosecutor's office has launched an investigation into the incidents. Darmanin announced on social media platform X that he was traveling to support affected officers at Toulon prison, which suffered gunfire damage. While not directly assigning blame, he stated that the government was "facing up to the problem of drug trafficking" with measures […]
McIlroy Finally Claims Masters Title In Dramatic Playoff Against Rose
Rory McIlroy captured the elusive Masters title by defeating Justin Rose in a sudden-death playoff, completing golf's prestigious career Grand Slam after a dramatic final round at Augusta National. Following a costly missed 5-foot par putt on the 18th hole that forced the playoff, McIlroy delivered under pressure by placing his approach shot just 2 feet from the cup when they returned to the same hole. As the winning putt dropped, McIlroy raised his arms skyward before dropping to his knees in an emotional release, his putter falling behind him. Amid chants of "Rory! Rory!" from the gallery, McIlroy embraced his wife Erica and daughter Poppy before heading to Butler Cabin for the Green Jacket ceremony. "There was a lot of pent-up emotion that just came out on that 18th green," McIlroy said during the presentation. "A moment like that […]
20 Years Of Success Yet EU Recycling Rules Punish Electronics Repair
The CEO of WEEE Ireland, the national compliance scheme for e-waste recycling, has criticized European recycling targets for failing to recognize the actual impact of the circular economy. Leo Donovan explained that Ireland's ability to meet the EU's 65% recycling target is becoming increasingly difficult each yearโnot due to failure, but because the targets don't account for the extended lifespan of modern electronics or the growing emphasis on repair and reuse. "The EU's current linear weight-based targets do not consider the extended lifespans of modern electronics or the growing emphasis on repair and reuse, meaning Ireland's true environmental progress goes unrecognised," Donovan stated. He pointed out that repaired or refurbished mobile phones don't count toward Ireland's official environmental performance, despite keeping raw materials in circulation. Similarly, newer appliances like solar PV panels and heat pumps, which typically last 15-20 years, […]
Secret Spy Alliance Or Maritime Safety Net Ireland Joins EU Surveillance Network
Ireland is joining a European maritime intelligence-sharing alliance to enhance its surveillance capabilities in EU waters. Tรกnaiste and Defence Minister Simon Harris has authorized the Defence Forces to formally join the Common Information Sharing Environment (CISE), a voluntary, decentralized network for sharing maritime surveillance information among EU and EEA countries and agencies. CISE enables various authorities, including coast guards, naval services, and customs, to exchange data securely in real time. Military and civil agencies from ten other European nations, including Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Norway, and Portugal, are already members of this recently operational alliance. The European Commission oversees the process while encouraging all EU countries to participate. Importantly, participants maintain control over their data and decide what information to share. Each member connects through a CISE "node" serving as a secure gateway for information exchange. Ireland's node will be […]
Related
McIlroy’s 2025 Season: What Could Surpass His Masters Triumph?
Even after the incredible drama of his career Grand Slam-completing Masters victory, Rory McIlroy's 2025 golf season still holds numerous possibilities that could potentially match that memorable achievement. McIlroy is scheduled to return to competition next week in New Orleans, where he and close friend Shane Lowry will defend their Zurich Classic title, an event that doesn't award world ranking points. The Northern Irishman's Augusta triumph significantly reduced Scottie Scheffler's world rankings lead from 4.18 to 2.81 points, though the world number one still maintains a comfortable advantage. The duo has established a considerable gap ahead of third-ranked Xander Schauffele, the reigning Open and US PGA champion, who trails McIlroy by 3.76 points. With McIlroy skipping this week's RBC Heritage in South Carolina, Scheffler, who finished just three strokes behind in fourth place at Augusta despite not being in serious […]
Top Former College Athlete Among Six Dead in New York Plane Crash
A private plane crashed in an open field in upstate New York on Saturday, resulting in the deaths of all six people on board, according to authorities. Former Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) football star Karenna Groff, her parents, her brother, and two partners were among those killed, a family statement confirmed. The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported that the family had been traveling for a holiday celebration when the crash occurred. Officials who obtained video footage of the flight's final moments stated that the aircraft appeared intact before it hit the ground at a high rate of descent. A joint family statement identified the victims as Karenna Groff, her parents Dr. Michael Groff and Dr. Joy Saini, her brother Jared Groff and his partner Alexia Couyutas Duarte, and Karenna's partner James Santoro. "They were a wonderful family," […]
McIlroy Finally Claims Masters Title In Dramatic Playoff Against Rose
Rory McIlroy captured the elusive Masters title by defeating Justin Rose in a sudden-death playoff, completing golf's prestigious career Grand Slam after a dramatic final round at Augusta National. Following a costly missed 5-foot par putt on the 18th hole that forced the playoff, McIlroy delivered under pressure by placing his approach shot just 2 feet from the cup when they returned to the same hole. As the winning putt dropped, McIlroy raised his arms skyward before dropping to his knees in an emotional release, his putter falling behind him. Amid chants of "Rory! Rory!" from the gallery, McIlroy embraced his wife Erica and daughter Poppy before heading to Butler Cabin for the Green Jacket ceremony. "There was a lot of pent-up emotion that just came out on that 18th green," McIlroy said during the presentation. "A moment like that […]
Kevin De Bruyne To Leave Man City At End of Current Season
Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has confirmed he will depart the club when the current season ends. The 33-year-old Belgian star, who joined City from Wolfsburg in 2015, has amassed an impressive collection of 14 major trophies during his time at the club, including six Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2023. "Nothing about this is easy to write, but as football players, we all know this day eventually comes. That day is here โ and you deserve to hear it from me first," De Bruyne announced in a social media statement on Friday. "Football led me to all of you โ and to this city. Chasing my dream, not knowing this period would change my life. This City. This club. These people โฆ gave me EVERYTHING. I had no choice but to give EVERYTHING back! And […]
Mbappรฉ and Rudiger Hit With Fines After “Indecent” Victory Celebration
Real Madrid players Kylian Mbappe and Antonio Rudiger have received fines from UEFA but avoided suspensions for the Champions League quarterfinals following "indecent" celebrations after their previous match. UEFA announced Friday that both players were issued one-game bans for "violating the basic rules of decent conduct," with each subject to a one-year probationary period. The disciplinary action means Madrid's stars remain eligible for Tuesday's upcoming quarterfinal match at Arsenal. The charges stemmed from Madrid players' celebrations following their penalty shootout victory over city rivals Atletico Madrid in the round of 16 on March 12. Social media video clips showed Mbappe grabbing his crotch on the field during the celebrations. In its ruling, UEFA fined Rudiger 40,000 euros ($44,000) and Mbappe 30,000 euros ($33,000). A third Madrid player, Dani Ceballos, received a 20,000 euro ($22,000) fine without a suspended ban. UEFA […]
Messi Scores Game Winner Two Minutes After Coming Off Bench For Inter Miami
Lionel Messi found the net just two minutes after entering as a second-half substitute, helping Inter Miami secure a 2-1 win against the Philadelphia Union at home. The 37-year-old Argentine star, who had been sidelined with an adductor strain that caused him to miss Argentina's recent World Cup qualifiers, made an immediate impact upon his return. Messi had sustained the injury during Miami's previous MLS match, a 2-1 victory at Atlanta on March 16. Miami had taken the lead in the 23rd minute when Finnish winger Robert Taylor converted a low pass from Benjamin Cremaschi following Jordi Alba's run down the left side. Coach Javier Mascherano introduced Messi in the 55th minute, and the impact was instantaneous. Former Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez found Messi on the right side of the field, where he created space with a clever move before […]
Be the first to leave a comment