Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF celebrates after scoring a goal against the Philadelphia Union during the second half at Chase Stadium on March 29, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
On late Wednesday, Los Angeles FC defeated Inter Miami 1-0 in the first game of the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals at BMO stadium in Los Angeles.
In the tightly contested match between the two Major League Soccer teams, LAFC's Nathan Ordaz, a 21-year-old player, scored a goal in the 57th minute to help his team beat Lionel Messi and Inter Miami.
Since his injury strain against Atlanta United in March, Messi played an entire game for the first time, and while he was the main attraction, it was Ordaz, a homegrown talent, who managed to steal the spotlight away from the legendary soccer star.
Despite Messi’s experience and leadership, he was unable to score and deliver, leading his team to its first defeat. Not only did Messi miss two free kicks in the first half and another in the final minute of the match, he also missed shots toward the net in the 79th and 86th minutes of the match.
While many fans are questioning Messi's performance at the game, he and the rest of the players on the Inter Miami team will have a chance to bounce back in another game face-off with LAFC in the second leg to avoid elimination, which will take place on April 9 at 8 p.m. ET.
Before that, both teams will play MLS matches this weekend: LAFC will travel to the Houston Dynamo on Saturday night, while Inter Miami will host Toronto FC on “Sunday Night Soccer.”
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