Whitecaps beat Lionel Messi and Inter Miami 2-0 in 1st leg of CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinal

Vancouver Whitecaps Stun Inter Miami 2-0 in CONCACAF Champions Cup Semifinal First Leg

In a thrilling encounter at BC Place Stadium, the Vancouver Whitecaps secured a commanding 2-0 victory over Inter Miami CF in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinal on April 24, 2025. The match drew a record crowd of 53,837, eager to witness Lionel Messi and his star-studded Miami lineup

Match Highlights

The Whitecaps took the lead in the 24th minute when striker Brian White headed in a precise pass from midfielder Pedro Vite, marking his 10th goal across all competitions this season. The advantage was doubled in the 84th minute as Sebastian Berhalter capitalized on a cross from Jayden Nelson, delivering a powerful shot into the upper corner

Despite Inter Miami's formidable lineup, including Messi, Sergio Busquets, Luis Suárez, and Jordi Alba, the team struggled to break through Vancouver's resolute defense. Messi showcased moments of brilliance, notably in the 11th and 36th minutes, but was unable to convert these opportunities into goals

Post-Match Reactions

Whitecaps coach Jesper Sørensen expressed satisfaction with the result but acknowledged areas for improvement, stating, "We created some good chances but overall our play lacked some." He praised the team's defensive efforts, emphasizing the collective resilience that secured the win.

Inter Miami's coach, Javier Mascherano, conceded that Vancouver deserved the victory and emphasized the need for analysis and adjustments ahead of the second leg. He remarked, "We will try to analyze it in the next days to see what happened and try to change

Looking Ahead

The second leg of the semifinal is scheduled for May 1 at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Inter Miami faces the challenge of overturning a two-goal deficit to advance to the final, where the winner will meet either Cruz Azul or Tigres UANL

Broader Implications

This match marks a significant moment in the twilight of Lionel Messi's illustrious career. Despite his presence, Inter Miami's defeat underscores the challenges faced by aging superstars in high-stakes competitions. The outcome also highlights the emergence of teams like the Vancouver Whitecaps, who, through collective effort and tactical discipline, can overcome more heralded opponents. ​

The Guardian

As the tournament progresses, the Whitecaps' performance serves as a testament to the evolving dynamics of international club football, where teamwork and strategy increasingly define success.

In a stunning upset, the Vancouver Whitecaps defeated Lionel Messi's Inter Miami 2-0 in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinal at BC Place Stadium on April 24, 2025. Despite a star-studded Miami lineup, the Whitecaps' cohesive team play secured a significant advantage heading into the second leg.

Match Highlights

The Whitecaps opened the scoring in the 24th minute when striker Brian White headed in a precise pass from midfielder Pedro Vite, marking his 10th goal across all competitions this season. In the 84th minute, Sebastian Berhalter doubled the lead, capitalizing on a cross from Jayden Nelson to fire a shot into the upper corner

Inter Miami, featuring global stars Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, Luis Suárez, and Jordi Alba, struggled to penetrate Vancouver's resolute defense. Messi showcased moments of brilliance but was unable to convert opportunities into goals

Post-Match Reactions

Whitecaps coach Jesper Sørensen expressed satisfaction with the result but acknowledged areas for improvement, stating, "We created some good chances but overall our play lacked some." He praised the team's defensive efforts, emphasizing the collective resilience that secured the win.

Inter Miami's coach, Javier Mascherano, conceded that Vancouver deserved the victory and emphasized the need for analysis and adjustments ahead of the second leg. He remarked, "We will try to analyze it in the next days to see what happened and try to change.

Looking Ahead

The second leg of the semifinal is scheduled for May 1 at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Inter Miami faces the challenge of overturning a two-goal deficit to advance to the final, where the winner will meet either Cruz Azul or Tigres UANL.