When you’re down 2-0 with less than 55 minutes to go in a two-legged quarterfinal, there’s one man you can count on above the rest to turn your fortunes around: World Cup and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi.

Miami, the 2023 League Cup winners who lifted the 2024 Supporters’ Shield in record-setting fashion, are 90 minutes away from surpassing their best-ever performance in CCC play, following their quarterfinal elimination at the hands of LIGA MX powerhouse CF Monterrey in last year’s competition.

Inter Miami rallied a sensational comeback against LAFC at Chase Stadium to punch their tickets to the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals.

Two goals from Lionel Messi, even after a bit of controversy, sent Inter Miami to the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals after beating LAFC 3-1 (3-2 on aggregate). After conceding early, Inter Miami were down 2-0 on aggregate but turned it around.

The away goal rule being in effect meant the Herons needed three goals to win the tie outright. Lionel Messi clawed one back in the 36th minute. The Argentine fired a shot across his body past Hugo Lloris with his left foot at the far post.

Inter Miami scored three unanswered goals to top LAFC in the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals. The catalyst? Lionel Messi, of course.

Messi's clinical play and nonstop engine, albeit sputtering at times, helped Miami advance to the Concacaf Champions League semifinals.

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are headed to the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals and it took a dramatic three-goal comeback to get there.

Two more teams will book their passage to the Champions Cup quarter-finals this evening as we have matches in Miami and Mexico City.Here is what went down.Pumas 2-2 Vancouver Whitecaps