Udaipur, April 25, 2025: Lionel Messi's Inter Miami is at risk of being eliminated from the CONCACAF Champions Cup after losing 2-0 to Vancouver in the first leg of the semi-finals.

Despite Messi's efforts until the end, he couldn't make an impact. Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets also failed to capitalise on Messi's lackluster performance, resulting in a disappointing loss for Miami.

Vancouver Takes Control, Miami Faces Uphill Battle in Quarterfinals

Miami, after losing the first leg 1-0 to Los Angeles in the quarterfinals, had hoped for a similar turnaround. However, with a 2-goal deficit this time, Javier Mascherano’s team faces significant pressure.

Early Chances for Both Teams

Miami nearly conceded a goal in the seventh minute of the match at BC Place in Vancouver, only to be saved by their goalkeeper’s determination. In the 12th minute, Messi created a strong attacking opportunity, but it wasn't enough to score.

Vancouver Takes the Lead

In the 17th minute, Vancouver failed to capitalize on their chance. Two minutes later, Messi made a dazzling run into the box but narrowly missed the goal. However, Messi had another chance in the 22nd minute but couldn't convert Sergio Busquets' excellent pass. Shortly after, Vancouver’s Brian White made no mistake in the 24th minute, heading in a great cross from Pedro Vite to give his team the lead.

Miami Struggles to Respond

After conceding, Miami attempted to recover. In the 29th minute, Messi tried a long-range shot, but it sailed over the bar. In the 36th minute, his other shot went straight to Vancouver’s goalkeeper.

Miami's Push for an Equalizer

Towards the end of the first half, Miami began to control the match. Messi and Luis Suarez launched several attacks on Vancouver's defense. However, they couldn’t find the equalizing goal before the break.

Second Half Action

The second half saw both teams creating numerous attacks and counter-attacks. Miami took charge of the game for a while, with Messi leading the team in search of goals. However, Vancouver’s solid defense repeatedly shut down Messi and Suarez’s efforts.

Vancouver Seals the Win

Messi had a chance to equalize from a free kick, but once again, he couldn’t convert. As the match neared its end, Vancouver sealed their victory. In the 85th minute, Sebastian Berhalter scored the second goal for Vancouver, essentially confirming Miami’s defeat. Despite Messi’s efforts, Miami couldn’t reduce the gap and left the field with a disappointing result.

Looking Ahead to the Second Leg

The two teams will face off again in the second leg on May 1 at Chase Stadium in Miami.