Two goals from Lionel Messi propelled Inter Miami to the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals, overcoming LAFC with a 3-1 victory (3-2 on aggregate). Despite conceding an early goal and trailing 2-0 on aggregate, Inter Miami orchestrated a remarkable turnaround. Moments after a free kick goal was controversially disallowed, the Argentine star scored a fantastic goal against Hugo Lloris, the same goalkeeper he defeated twice in the 2022 World Cup final.
Noah Allen contributed a goal in the second half, and a late penalty, clinically converted by Messi, secured Inter Miami`s epic comeback victory.
The Controversial Moment
Messi took a free kick in the first half, and as Lloris organized his defensive wall, the referee moved away from the set-piece area. Messi then curled the ball into the net. Initially, the referee appeared to signal a goal but then reversed his decision shortly after, making Messi retake the free kick, which subsequently hit the wall.
Messi`s Golazo
Facing a 1-0 deficit in the game and 2-0 on aggregate, Messi swiftly brought his team back into contention just after the controversial play, scoring a stunning goal into the top right corner of the net in the 35th minute.
Messi`s Clinching Goal
Ultimately, Inter Miami scored the two second-half goals needed to secure the win. The decisive goal came from a penalty awarded for a handball in the box, which Messi calmly slotted into the right side of the goal.
Goalkeeper Oscar Ustari made crucial late saves for Inter Miami to preserve their lead. Inter Miami will now compete against the winner of the Vancouver Whitecaps versus Pumas match in the semifinals, putting them within reach of the most significant game in North American soccer.
Adrian Whitmore 
Benedict Kingsley