Inter Miami advances in the Concacaf Champions Cup after defeating Sporting Kansas City in a two-leg series marked by freezing conditions and Messi’s goals.
Inter Miami secured their advancement in the Concacaf Champions Cup after a two-leg series against Sporting Kansas City. The series was marked by contrasting conditions, with the first leg played in freezing temperatures in Kansas City and the second leg in Miami.
First Leg: Sporting Kansas City vs. Inter Miami
The first leg took place at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City amidst extremely cold weather. Concerns arose before the game regarding Lionel Messi’s participation due to the sub-zero temperatures. The match was even postponed by 24 hours because of winter storm warnings. Despite the adverse conditions, the game proceeded, with temperatures at kickoff recorded at five degrees Fahrenheit, dropping to three degrees Fahrenheit by halftime, with a wind chill making it feel like negative eight degrees Fahrenheit.
Lionel Messi played and scored the only goal of the match in the 55th minute, securing a 1-0 victory for Inter Miami. He controlled a long pass from Sergio Busquets, took the ball down, and finished the play with a shot into the corner of the net. After the game, Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano described the conditions as “inhumane.” He also praised his team’s effort.
Second Leg: Inter Miami vs. Sporting Kansas City
Inter Miami hosted Sporting Kansas City for the second leg at Chase Stadium. Inter Miami won the match 3-1, advancing with a 4-1 aggregate score. Lionel Messi scored a goal in the 19th minute. Luis Suárez and Tadeo Allende also scored for Miami. Memo Rodríguez scored for Kansas City.
Miami scored on all three of its first-half shots, despite Kansas City getting the majority of opportunities early. Messi slipped a through ball to Suárez, then controlled Suárez’s pass off his chest and rifled it past John Pulskamp into the bottom right corner. Messi also started Miami’s second scoring opportunity with a perfectly placed ball into the path of Jordi Alba, who found Allende for the finish in the 45th minute. Two minutes later, a misplayed touch by Kansas City’s Jacob Davis led to Suárez’s goal that he bounced past Pulskamp.
Kansas City coach Peter Vermes acknowledged the impact of players like Messi and Suárez, noting their ability to capitalize on key moments in the game.
The 37-year-old Messi played 69 minutes in the second leg. Suárez and Sergio Busquets each played 81 minutes. Miami coach Javier Mascherano said he talked to his veterans about managing their minutes throughout the season to keep them healthy. That made room for contributions from younger players like the 26-year-old Allende.
Kansas City had chances with 10 shots and four on goal. Dejan Joveljic appeared to make it 1-1 in the 40th minute, but he was ruled offside. Rodríguez entered in the 58th minute and scored from outside the box five minutes later. Kansas City remain winless in 2025.
With the victory, Inter Miami advanced to face Cavalier FC in the round of 16 on March 6.
Fifa Club World Cup
The FIFA Club World Cup trophy was on display at Chase Stadium ahead of the tournament’s start in June. The tournament will feature Inter Miami and European teams Real Madrid and Manchester City. It will take place in 11 US cities in an expanded format with 32 teams. Inter Miami will open the monthlong tournament on June 14 against Al Ahly of Egypt at Hard Rock Stadium.
Sources: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/feb/25/lionel-messi-inter-miami-sporting-kansas-city-report
https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/43928865/frigid-conditions-inter-miami-ccc-win-not-human-mascherano
https://talksport.com/football/2945780/lionel-messi-goal-inter-miami-kansas-temperatures-mascherano/