Inter Miami endured a challenging night on Thursday, suffering a 2-0 defeat to the Vancouver Whitecaps in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals. The spotlight was once again on Lionel Messi, though not for reasons he'd have hoped. Goals from Brian White and Sebastian Berhalter sealed the victory for the Canadian side, giving them a crucial advantage ahead of the return leg.
Rival fans target Lionel Messi with Cristiano Ronaldo taunts
As Messi left the pitch at BC Place, disappointment written across his face, the home crowd took the opportunity to mock the Argentine star. Some fans held up a Portugal jersey bearing Cristiano Ronaldo’s iconic number 7, taunting Messi in the wake of the loss.
In response, the World Cup winner didn’t stay silent. Staring down the fans, Messi issued a warning:
Careful, there’s still one more game, he said, referring to the decisive second leg.
Home fortress gives Inter Miami hope
Messi’s defiance is backed by Inter Miami’s strong home record. The Herons remain unbeaten at Chase Stadium this year, with five wins and two draws across all competitions.
In the previous round, they overturned a first-leg deficit to eliminate Los Angeles FC, proving they can rise to the occasion under pressure. All eyes now turn to April 30, when they will host the Whitecaps in a must-win clash.
Heated exchange between Lionel Messi and Andres Cubas
Tensions were high throughout the match, and Messi’s frustration was evident even before the final whistle. In the first half, he was fouled by Andres Cubas, a Paraguayan international born in Argentina. Initially restrained, Messi’s irritation grew during subsequent interactions, prompting the referee to intervene.
After the match, Cubas commented on the altercation, saying,
He got mad about a foul. These are heat-of-the-moment things; emotions run high. We all know the kind of player and competitor Messi is, he always wants to be involved but it ended there. We’re happy with the match we played.
Next stop: MLS clash and crucial second leg
Following the loss in Vancouver, Inter Miami quickly returned to Florida. On Sunday, they host FC Dallas for Matchday 10 of the MLS season. However, their primary focus is on Wednesday’s crucial CONCACAF Champions Cup second leg, where redemption and a place in the final are on the line.