Lionel Messi Leads Inter Miami to Champions Cup Round of 16 With 3-1 Victory Over Sporting KC

Messi scored a stunning early goal and assisted another as Inter Miami secured a dominant 4-1 aggregate win to advance in the Concacaf Champions Cup.

Lionel Messi opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a chest control and half-volley finish, setting the tone for Inter Miami's 3-1 victory over Sporting Kansas City in the second leg.
Inter Miami advanced to the Concacaf Champions Cup round of 16 with a 4-1 aggregate win and will face Jamaica's Cavalier FC on March 6.
Luis Suárez and Tadeo Allende added first-half goals for Miami, capitalizing on precise setups from Messi and Jordi Alba, as well as a defensive error from Kansas City.
Sporting Kansas City's Memo Rodríguez scored the team's lone goal in the second half, but Kansas City remains winless in 2025 following significant offseason roster changes.
The FIFA Club World Cup trophy was showcased at Miami's Chase Stadium ahead of the expanded tournament starting in June, where Inter Miami will face Egypt's Al Ahly in the opening match.