All Eyes on Messi as Inter Miami Face LAFC in Do-or-Die Champions Cup Showdown
The stage is set in Fort Lauderdale for a pulsating Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal second leg, where Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami must overturn a slender deficit against Los Angeles FC. After a frustrating first leg marred by controversy and missed opportunities, the Herons are under pressure to ignite their comeback spirit and make history in front of their home fans.
Inter Miami endured a forgettable night at BMO Stadium, stifled offensively and ultimately succumbing to a solitary Nathan Ordaz goal. The defeat – their first under coach Javier Mascherano – exposed vulnerabilities and left them staring at elimination unless they reverse the tie at Chase Stadium. The tension is heightened by the fact that the Herons have never advanced beyond this stage of the competition, falling at the same hurdle last year.
Despite Miami’s struggles, all hope is far from lost, primarily because of one man: Lionel Messi. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has battled recent fitness issues, including a muscle injury that sidelined him in March, but is now training fully and poised to feature in a crucial match. Having played full games in Miami’s last two fixtures, Messi is expected to lead the line once more from the outset—his creativity and goal threat vital if the Herons are to turn the tie around.
Adding fuel to the rivalry, Miami coach Javier Mascherano openly questioned a refereeing decision from the first leg. During that clash, LAFC’s Ordaz appeared to elbow Miami defender Maximiliano Falcón in the face—a move that, after lengthy VAR scrutiny, resulted only in a yellow card. An incredulous Mascherano lamented post-match, “An aggression without a ball is a red card, here and in China and the moon.” That perceived injustice was compounded when Ordaz later netted the game’s only goal, further stoking Miami’s motivation for revenge.
However, Inter Miami must battle on without experienced midfielder Sergio Busquets, suspended due to yellow card accumulation. Mascherano acknowledged Busquets' absence as a “big loss”, underlining how his tactical acumen and leadership influence the side’s play. Other injury doubts include David Ruiz, David Martinez, and Tadeo Allende, yet Miami’s depth still boasts the firepower of Messi alongside Luis Suarez, with a projected starting lineup aimed at overwhelming the visitors.
Historically, the matchup is finely poised but favours the Californians. Since Inter Miami’s inaugural MLS match in 2020 – a 1-0 loss to LAFC – the Black and Gold have claimed three wins from four meetings. Yet Miami’s impressive home form offers reason for optimism; Atlanta United remain the sole visiting team to triumph at Chase Stadium over the past year. With their passionate supporters behind them, the Herons hope to maintain their fortress status and push into uncharted territory.
On the opposing bench, Steve Cherundolo’s LAFC side arrive defending their slight advantage, eager to erase painful near-misses after losing two recent Champions Cup finals. Their form in continental competition is strong; they dispatched Colorado Rapids and exacted revenge on Columbus Crew earlier in the tournament. Yet domestically, the Black and Gold have faltered lately, losing four out of their last five MLS fixtures, including a weekend defeat to Houston Dynamo. This inconsistency on the road might give Miami further encouragement.
With Olivier Giroud and Denis Bouanga leading LAFC’s line, the clash promises high drama. Pundits predict a tight, fiercely contested affair but lean toward a narrow Miami victory, banking on the club’s resilience and Messi’s genius to overturn the deficit and advance to the semi-finals.
As kickoff looms, questions abound: Can Messi inspire another iconic performance and rewrite Inter Miami’s continental history? Will LAFC’s fragile away form be exposed under the Florida lights? Or will the visiting Californians grit out a result and edge closer to their elusive Champions Cup trophy?
Football fans worldwide will tune in for answers in what promises to be a compelling battle full of narratives, controversy, and moments of magic. Don’t forget to share your thoughts below and join the debate—can the Herons claw their way back, or will LAFC soar into the semis?
