Lionel Messi continued his scoring form as Inter Miami secured a 3-1 victory over Sporting Kansas City in the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup tie, progressing to the last 16 with a 4-1 aggregate win. The Argentine star, having scored the only goal in the first leg, found the net again at a warmer Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
Messi opened the scoring in the 19th minute, capitalizing on defensive lapses from Sporting Kansas City. Former Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez provided the assist, chipping the ball across to Messi, who was afforded too much space and finished clinically into the bottom corner.
Sporting Kansas City thought they had equalized shortly after when Dejan Joveljic rounded Inter Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari and scored, but the goal was disallowed for offside.
Inter Miami doubled their lead in first-half stoppage time. Messi initiated the move, releasing Jordi Alba down the left flank. Alba’s low cross was then converted from close range by Tadeo Allende.
The home side effectively sealed the tie two minutes into the second half. A miskicked clearance from Sporting Kansas City’s Jacob Davis fell to Luis Suarez, who hooked the bouncing ball into the corner of the net.
Sporting Kansas City managed a consolation goal in the 63rd minute. Memo Rodriguez’s long-range effort deflected off Maximiliano Falcon and wrong-footed Ustari.
The victory sets up a last-16 clash for Inter Miami against Jamaican club Cavalier, the Caribbean Cup champions. The first leg will be played in Florida in the first week of March. The match highlighted Messi’s continued impact and Inter Miami’s attacking strength as they progress in the continental competition.
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