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Lionel Messi led Inter Miami to the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions League with two goals. Despite losing 1-0 to Los Angeles FC in the first leg of the semifinals, Inter Miami made a remarkable comeback in the second leg, winning 3-1 in the early hours of Thursday morning. Messi scored a crucial penalty to secure a 3-2 aggregate victory for his team.
Los Angeles FC took the lead through Aaron Long in the 9th minute. The team held onto their lead until the 35th minute, when Messi equalized with a powerful shot from the edge of
the penalty area.
Inter Miami then went ahead thanks to a mistake by former Tottenham Hotspur and current Los Angeles FC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. Lloris came out of his goal to clear a ball from Noah Allen inside the penalty area, expecting Federico Redondo to make contact. However, Redondo missed the ball, which went past everyone and into the side netting. A goal by Luis Suárez was ruled offside after Messi's cross.
Inter Miami kept up the pressure, and their persistence paid off when the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) confirmed a penalty kick for a handball. Messi converted the penalty, scoring the third goal with just six minutes remaining, sealing the comeback.
Next, Inter Miami will face Vancouver Whitecaps, who advanced to the semifinals after overcoming Pumas UNAM from Mexico. Vancouver Whitecaps drew 2-2 with Pumas UNAM earlier this morning. Guillermo Martínez and Ignacio Pussetto scored for Pumas in the 37th and 88th minutes, while Sebastian Berhalter and Tristan Blackmon scored for Vancouver in the 33rd and final minutes.
The first leg ended in a 1-1 draw, and Vancouver Whitecaps advanced on away goals.
Lionel Messi, Inter Miami, CONCACAF Champions League, semifinals, Los Angeles FC, Hugo Lloris, VAR, penalty, Vancouver Whitecaps, Pumas UNAM, away goals, comeback.
