In one of the most thrilling matches of the season, Inter Miami turned the tables on Los Angeles FC, securing a dramatic 3-1 win in the second leg of the Concacaf Champions League quarterfinals to advance to the semifinals with an aggregate score of 3-2.
Messi..A Masterclass That Never Stops Amazing
Lionel Messi scored two goals and assisted a third, continuiddng his crucial role in his team’s journey and reaffirming that he remains the most formidable figure in the world of football. Despite falling behind to an early goal just five minutes into the match, the Argentine captain never lost confidence and led his team’s comeback with a display of class.
Mascherano: "We Believed in Our Ability to Come Back"
Team coach Javier Mascherano confirmed after the match that the team believed in their ability to make a comeback despite the tough situation:
"This is what makes football great. The players didn’t give up after the early goal; they fought and believed they could turn the game around."
He added: "When I saw Messi’s disallowed goal, I started feeling that we were taking control of the game. Indeed, the first goal before halftime gave us a strong boost."
The Turning Point
After Messi’s first goal and an assist that led to Noah Allen’s equalizer on aggregate, the team’s confidence soared. The third goal came from a decisive penalty that Messi himself converted, sealing the qualification.
"He is the Heart of the Team"... Another Praise for the Legend
Mascherano said frankly: "Messi is the soul of this team. I played with him for twenty years, and now I’m coaching him. He still wants to win every game and gives everything for the team."
Semifinal Showdown: A Date with Vancouver
With their impressive victory, Inter Miami secured their spot in the semifinals to face the Vancouver Whitecaps, who knocked out Mexican side Pumas. Despite the celebration, Mascherano emphasized that there’s still a lot of work to do in improving the team’s performance.
"We want to win this tournament. It has been one of our goals since the beginning of the season, and we know the road is far from over." – Noah Allen after the match.
