Messi leads Miami to Champions Cup round of 16 BY Lizzy Becherano Wed Feb 26 2025 03:07:05 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup, Round One Agg. 4-1 - Lionel Messi - 19' - Tadeo Allende - 45'+1' - Luis Suárez - 45'+3' - Memo Rodríguez - 63' Messi, Suarez strike to send Inter Miami to CCC round of 16 Inter Miami CF beat Sporting Kansas City 3-1 on Tuesday night to advance to the Concacaf Champions Cup round of 16 by a 4-1 aggregate final over two legs. Lionel Messi opened the scoring for Miami at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with Tadeo Allende and Luis Suarez adding the other two goals to give the home side an easy win in the second leg. The reigning MLS Supporters' Shield winners from 2024 beat SKC 1-0 in the first leg in Kansas City last week. Miami will face Jamaican side Cavalier in the round of 16, with the MLS side hosting the first leg on March 6. Game Information Chase Stadium 8:00 PM, February 25, 2025 Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA Line: MIA -1.5 Over/Under: 3.5 - Referees: - Ismael Cornejo Concacaf Champions Cup News Messi, Suarez strike to send Inter Miami to CCC round of 16 Inter Miami CF beat Sporting Kansas City 3-1 on Tuesday night to advance to the Concacaf Champions Cup round of 16 by a 4-1 aggregate final over two legs. Ref given six-month ban for Lionel Messi autograph request - source Referee banned from officiating in Concacaf competitions for six months after asking Lionel Messi for his autograph, a source has told ESPN. Link to the original article Messi connects on half volley against Sporting KC in Champions Cup second leg BY J.J. Post Wed Feb 26 2025 02:26:08 Inter Miami CF is only a few weeks into the new season, but Lionel Messi is already in fine form. The 37-year-old superstar opened the scoring in Miami's Concacaf Champions Cup second leg match against Sporting Kansas City in impressive fashion. Messi first corralled a Luis Suárez cross via a deft touch with his chest, before letting the ball bounce and firing a half-volley past Kansas City keeper John Pulskamp at the near post. The goal put Miami ahead 2-0 on aggregate in the first round tie. BANGERS ONLY 🚀— Major League Soccer (@MLS) February 26, 2025 Messi with a GOLAZO to put @InterMiamiCF up 2-0 on aggregate! #championscuppic.twitter.com/NWGnBiXzyM Messi also found the back of the net in the first leg of the tie, scoring in the 56th minute in frozen conditions at Kansas City's Children's Mercy Park. The half-volley marked a continuation of a strong start to Messi's second full season in Major League soccer. In addition to his goals in each leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup, the veteran forward also tallied a pair of assists in Inter Miami's opening game of league play against New York City FC last Saturday. Inter Miami would run away with the tie later in the match, as Tadeo Allende and Suárez both found the back of the net before halftime, extending the home side's lead to 4-0 on aggregate. Link to the original article