JUST IN: Lionel Messi’s Strike Lifts Inter Miami Past Sporting Kansas City in CONCACAF Champions Cup
In a bitterly cold Wednesday night match, Lionel Messi’s 56th-minute goal proved to be the difference-maker as Inter Miami secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Sporting Kansas City in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup’s first round. The win gives Inter Miami a crucial advantage heading into the second leg, scheduled to take place in Miami on Tuesday.
The match, played in front of 15,178 bundled-up fans at Children’s Mercy Park, was marked by challenging conditions, with a game-time temperature of 3 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 16 Celsius) and a wind speed of 9 mph, resulting in a wind chill of minus 11 Fahrenheit (minus 24 Celsius). Despite the difficulties, both teams struggled to find consistency on the hard, slick field, with Inter Miami ultimately emerging victorious.
Messi’s goal, which came in the 56th minute, was a testament to his exceptional skill and vision. Collecting a pass from Sergio Busquets, Messi let the ball fall to his feet, eluded the nearest defender, and then fired a precise shot past Sporting KC keeper John Pulskamp. The goal marked a decisive turning point in the match, with Inter Miami’s defense holding firm to secure the shutout victory.
Sporting KC, determined to tie the match, pushed forward in the second half, but Inter Miami’s Oscar Ustari proved equal to the task, stopping both of the team’s shots on goal. The best chance for Sporting KC came when Dániel Sallói got open behind the Miami defense, but his shot attempt was directly at Ustari. Erik Thommy’s attempt to tie the match in the 78th minute hit off the left post, but it would not have counted as Sallói was ruled offside.
Inter Miami had earlier opportunities to take the lead, with Luis Suarez’s shot from just inside the box going wide in the early stages of the match. Tadeo Allende’s shot, coming off a lob from Messi, also went wide in the 33rd minute. Sporting KC, meanwhile, missed a chance to grab the lead off a corner kick in the 36th minute, with Dany Rosero’s header going left of the target.
The first-half stats reflected Inter Miami’s slight edge, with the team taking seven shots compared to Sporting KC’s three. Inter Miami also held a 60% advantage in possession. As the teams prepare to face off in the second leg, Inter Miami’s victory in the first leg provides a crucial advantage, but Sporting KC will be determined to overturn the deficit and advance in the competition.
