Messi Sparks Inter Miami’s Triumph Over Sporting Kansas City in Concachampions

Miami, Florida — Inter Miami secured a spot in the next round of the Concachampions by defeating Sporting Kansas City 3-1 at Chase Stadium on February 25, 2025. The victory followed a 1-0 win in the first leg, giving Miami an overall score of 4-1 in the two-leg series. Lionel Messi, Tadeo Allende, and Luis Suárez contributed goals for the home team, while Memo Rodriguez scored for Kansas City.

Messi, who was substituted in the 67th minute for Benjamín Cremaschi, played a pivotal role throughout the match. His standout performance included a critical goal during the first leg, adding to his impressive scoring record in the Concachampions.

The game showcased Messi’s adaptability, as he managed to deliver a stellar performance despite the frigid conditions, with a wind chill of 23 degrees below zero. This was reported to be the coldest match in Messi’s professional career.

The match began in sizable snowflakes as both teams battled for positioning. Inter Miami quickly established dominance, generating several opportunities, one of which culminated in Messi’s goal when he received a long pass from Sergio Busquets. Messi controlled the ball in the area and sent a right-footed shot into the net, providing Miami with a crucial 1-0 lead.

By halftime, Inter Miami was ahead 3-0 on aggregate after goals by Allende and Suárez, forcing Kansas City to push forward in search of equalization. This led to Rodriguez’s goal in the 62nd minute, but it was not enough to change the outcome of the match.

Despite Kansas City’s attempts to rally for a tie, Miami’s goalkeeper, Oscar Ustari, made vital saves to maintain his team’s lead. As the time wound down, Memphis was replaced, giving fans a glimpse into the team’s roster depth.

Looking ahead, Inter Miami is set to face Cavalier of Jamaica in the next round, with the first leg taking place between March 4-6 and the return match scheduled for March 11-13. Before that matchup, Miami is scheduled to play against Houston Dynamo this Sunday in their second MLS match.

After recovering from the extreme cold in Kansas, the players of Inter Miami are eager to maintain their momentum. Javier Mascherano, the coach, expressed confidence in the team’s ability to transition from Concachampions to the MLS matches, emphasizing the importance of adaptation.

Messi, in his remarks following the game, highlighted how critical teamwork is for their upcoming challenge in Jamaica. ‘It’s important to keep working together as a unit, we have a tough competition ahead,’ he stated.