Lionel Messi's Inter Miami crash out of CONCACAF Champions Cup
Vancouver Whitecaps eliminate Inter Miami with a dominant 5-1 aggregate win in the CONCACAF Champions Cup semi-final.
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| Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami FC reacts after missing a goal during the CONCACAF Champions Cup semi-final second leg against Vancouver Whitecaps at Chase Stadium on April 30, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Photo by Michael Pimentel/ISI |
By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini
In a disappointing night for fans in south Florida, Lionel Messi's Inter Miami crashed out of the CONCACAF Champions Cup, falling 3-1 at home to the Vancouver Whitecaps. The result sealed a commanding 5-1 aggregate victory for the Canadian side, ending Messi's hopes of capturing his first major continental trophy with the Major League Soccer club.
A dream crushed in South Florida
Trailing 2-0 from the first leg, Inter Miami needed a near-perfect performance to turn the tie around. Early signs looked promising. In just the ninth minute, Jordi Alba gave the home fans hope when he struck past Vancouver’s Japanese goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka at the near post. The goal was the result of an intricate build-up starting from Messi, who slipped a precise pass through the midfield to Luis Suárez. The Uruguayan then squared the ball to Alba, who kept his composure to convert.
But that glimmer of hope was short-lived.
Rather than sit back and protect their aggregate lead, Vancouver pressed forward with confidence and speed. American striker Brian White, who had a standout performance, spearheaded the Canadian attack. His partner Emmanuel Sabbi nearly leveled the score on the night with a low shot that hit the outside of the post. It was a sign of things to come.
Vancouver take control
White and Pedro Vite repeatedly exploited Inter Miami’s slow defensive line and outpaced the midfield with crisp, intelligent movement. The Whitecaps, under the guidance of head coach Jesper Sørensen, played with poise and intent. Miami’s backline had no answers.
Messi, usually the orchestrator of magic, was subdued. His only notable contribution in the first half was a rushed shot that flew high and wide. He struggled to find rhythm, often isolated as the midfield around him failed to keep pace. Fellow Argentine Tadeo Allende had a couple of openings for the hosts, but his finishing let him down.
The second half turned from hope to heartbreak for Inter Miami.
Just six minutes after the restart, Vancouver struck a decisive blow. In a well-constructed move, Sebastian Berhalter surged to the byline and cut the ball back to Brian White, who coolly slotted home into the bottom corner. The 1-1 scoreline on the night still left Miami needing two goals just to force extra time.
Inter Miami collapse under pressure
Things unraveled quickly from there.
In the 53rd minute, Berhalter was again involved, breaking down the left side before setting up Vite at the edge of the box. His curling effort took a slight deflection off Alba and sailed into the top corner. The home crowd fell silent as Vancouver celebrated their third goal of the night and a virtually unassailable 4-1 aggregate lead.
The third goal didn’t just demoralize Inter Miami — it exposed their defensive vulnerabilities.
As Miami pushed forward in desperation, gaps opened at the back. Berhalter, son of former U.S. national team manager Gregg Berhalter, capitalized once more. After a blocked shot from White, Berhalter latched onto the loose ball and sent another deflected strike into the net, making it 3-1 on the night and 5-1 on aggregate.
Messi's late attempts not enough
Lionel Messi had a few moments late in the game, attempting to salvage some dignity for the hosts. His trademark dribbling and quick shots brought the crowd to its feet briefly, but none found the back of the net. By then, the match — and the tie — were long gone.
For Inter Miami, the result was a stark reminder that star power alone is not enough. Despite boasting legends like Messi, Suárez, and Alba, the team looked lethargic and outclassed for much of the contest. Vancouver, on the other hand, played with pace, structure, and cohesion.
A Canadian breakthrough on the horizon?
With this impressive victory, the Vancouver Whitecaps have reached the final of the CONCACAF Champions Cup — a historic achievement for the club and a potential landmark for Canadian soccer. They now await the winner of the all-Mexican semi-final between Cruz Azul and Tigres UANL. That match is evenly poised at 1-1 heading into the second leg.
If the Whitecaps manage to go all the way, they will become the first Canadian team to win the prestigious continental title — a feat that would underline the country’s growing influence in North American soccer.
What’s next for Inter Miami?
For Inter Miami and Lionel Messi, the focus now shifts back to Major League Soccer. However, the humiliating nature of this defeat will linger. The match exposed the team’s overreliance on its aging stars, lack of defensive depth, and midfield frailties.
Coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino will need to address significant structural issues if Miami is to challenge seriously for trophies this season. While the star-studded lineup draws crowds and media attention, the lack of balance and cohesion on the field continues to be a major concern.
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