Messi Shines as Inter Miami Secures CONCACAF Last 16 Spot

Lionel Messi once again proved instrumental as Inter Miami secured a spot in the CONCACAF Champions Cup last 16 with a commanding 3-1 victory over Sporting Kansas City, sealing a 4-1 aggregate win.

Messi, who had already scored in the first-leg triumph, wasted no time in making an impact, finding the net in the 19th minute after receiving a perfectly chipped assist from Luis Suarez. As Miami pressed forward, Jordi Alba set up Tadeo Allende for the team’s second goal just before halftime. Moments later, Suarez took advantage of a defensive mishap, expertly slotting home Miami’s third to put the game out of reach.

Kansas City managed a consolation goal in the second half when Memo Rodriguez’s strike deflected into the net, but it did little to change the outcome. With the victory, Inter Miami advances to face Jamaica’s Cavalier in the next round, with the first leg set to take place in early March in Florida.