Vancouver Whitecaps Script Dramatic Comeback To Set Up Messi Showdown In Champions Cup Semis
In one of the most riveting nights in recent North American football memory, the Vancouver Whitecaps pulled off an extraordinary stoppage-time escape to secure a Concacaf Champions Cup semi-final meeting with Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami, igniting dreams and headlines across MLS.
This tie not only marks a historic achievement for Vancouver — their first semi-final berth since 2017 — but also sets the stage for a clash brimming with star power and narrative, featuring perhaps the greatest player of all time making his long-awaited debut in Vancouver.
Wednesday night at the imposing Estadio Olímpico Universitario in Mexico City saw the Canadian visitors fighting for survival. Sebastian Berhalter opened Vancouver’s account with an acrobatic finish in the 33rd minute, only for Pumas UNAM to strike back with goals from Guillermo Martínez and Ignacio Pussetto late on.
As the clock ticked into injury time with Vancouver trailing 2-1 and facing elimination, defender Tristan Blackmon etched his name into club folklore. Pouncing amid a desperate late surge, Blackmon struck a precious equaliser three minutes into stoppage time, levelling the aggregate 3-3 and pushing Vancouver through on away goals. "It was always not pretty, but we showed grit and got the result we wanted," a beaming Blackmon said post-match.
This pulse-pounding finale rewarded a gritty, relentless performance across the tie, cementing what head coach Jesper Sørensen called "amazing feelings you cannot just produce; you have to go through a lot to get feelings like this." Sørensen, who only arrived in January, lauded his players and club staff alike, emphasising it is "unbelievable" to reach a semi-final after years of steady building.
Their feat is all the more significant considering the Whitecaps have now dispatched three heavyweight Liga MX opponents — Santos Laguna, Monterrey, and Pumas — en route to the semis, a testament to MLS’s growing stature versus its southern rivals. Since 2008, only three MLS teams have advanced past Mexican sides away after failing to win the first leg; remarkably, Vancouver owns two such victories this campaign alone.
The victory sustains a joyous season for the Whitecaps, who are also topping the MLS overall standings despite the absence of star playmaker Ryan Gauld through much of this run. Sørensen noted the side "hung in there" through adversity, and now relishes the chance to go toe-to-toe with a Messi-powered Inter Miami.
The stage now shifts to April 24 at BC Place, where Messi, Luis Suárez, and Sergio Busquets will visit in the first leg — Barcelona legends making their first competitive appearance in Vancouver. A year after Miami left fans disappointed by resting its stars, this contest promises fireworks and sold-out stands. The return leg is set for April 30 in Fort Lauderdale.
The fixture list adds extra intrigue: an AC/DC concert in Vancouver forced a tight turnaround, which combined with MLS duties, will test both squads’ depth and focus. Should Inter Miami progress, they might host the Champions Cup final on June 1, a historic prospect before they embark on their much-hyped FIFA Club World Cup campaign this summer.
With a dramatic escape fresh in the memory and a Messi encounter looming, Vancouver Whitecaps stand on the verge of something truly special — their fairy-tale run alive, but with the ultimate challenge just ahead. Can the Canadian hopefuls continue to topple giants, or will Messi’s magic prove irresistible?
Share your thoughts below: can Vancouver upset Inter Miami’s star ensemble? And what does this mean for MLS’s rivalry with Liga MX? We’d love to hear your take!
