Lionel Messi scored twice as Inter Miami fought back for a thrilling 3-1 second-leg win over Los Angeles FC in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, prevailing 3-2 on aggregate.

Miami suffered their first defeat under Javier Mascherano in the first leg of the teams' quarter-final tie last week, with Nathan Ordaz scoring the only goal for LAFC.

And when Aaron Long pounced on the second phase of a corner to double LAFC's aggregate lead 10 minutes into Wednesday's second leg, Miami had a mountain to climb.

They thought they had levelled on the night when Messi whipped a 30-yard free-kick into the bottom-left corner while Hugo Lloris was still setting up his wall, with visiting coach Steve Cherundolo furious on the sidelines.

Despite referee Cesar Arturo Ramos initially awarding the goal, it was eventually chalked off as he had not whistled after stopping the game to book Ryan Hollingshead.

However, Messi was on the scoresheet 10 minutes before half-time, taking in a deflected Luis Suarez pass on the edge of the box and firing an unstoppable effort into the top-right corner. 

HAD TO BE HIM pic.twitter.com/oJwaAgcUnG

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) April 10, 2025

Miami continued to press after half-time, and they levelled the tie when Federico Redondo glanced Noah Allen's dinked pass beyond Lloris, setting up a grandstand finish.

Suarez saw a deft header, teed up by Messi, disallowed for offside, but the decisive moment came when LAFC centre-back Marlon was penalised for handball following a corner.

That allowed Messi to nonchalantly beat Lloris from the penalty spot following a stutter in his run-up, in the 84th minute.

Marlon somehow avoided a second yellow card as the game boiled over in the dying moments, and LAFC had a chance to win it on away goals deep into stoppage time, only for Oscar Ustari to deny Denis Bouanga when one-on-one.

Data debrief: Home comforts for Messi

While Miami were uninspired in last week's first leg, they will always have been confident of winning the tie in Fort Lauderdale, where Messi feels right at home.

He has now been directly involved in at least one goal in 18 of his 19 home games with Miami since the start of 2024, including the last 12 in a row. 

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner was at his brilliant best here, creating seven chances – at least four more than any other player on the pitch.

He also led everyone on the pitch for touches (84), shots on target (four) and expected goals (1 xG), leading from the front as Miami booked a semi-final date with the Vancouver Whitecaps.

One step closer. Vancouver Whitecaps awaits in the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals. Vamos Miami  pic.twitter.com/YY4hbMiEIv

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) April 10, 2025