In a display of resilience against bone-chilling conditions, Lionel Messi demonstrated why he remains football's most magical player, delivering a stunning game-winner in Inter Miami's 1-0 victory over Sporting KC in the CONCACAF Champions Cup on Wednesday night.
The match, played at Children's Mercy Park, saw temperatures plummet to their lowest levels in Messi's illustrious career. With the mercury starting at 6 degrees Fahrenheit and dropping to 2 degrees, the wind chill factor pushed conditions to an astonishing 9 degrees below zero. Yet, even in these arctic conditions, the Argentine maestro's brilliance could not be contained.
The first half was dominated by Inter Miami, who controlled nearly 70 percent of possession and registered seven shots. However, it was Sporting KC who came closest to breaking the deadlock when Memo Rodríguez's brilliant free kick required a spectacular save from Inter Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari.
The decisive moment came in the 57th minute when Messi's longtime teammate Sergio Busquets spotted the Argentine making a run from 30 yards out. The Spaniard's perfectly weighted long ball found Messi, who controlled it masterfully on his chest, turned sharply, and finished with the clinical precision that has become his trademark. The goal adds to Messi's impressive record in continental competitions, where he has now been directly involved in 66 goals across 81 knockout stage matches, including 52 goals and 14 assists in both UEFA Champions League and CONCACAF Champions Cup appearances.
Sporting KC had their chances to equalize, most notably when Daniel Sallói squandered a one-on-one opportunity against Ustari in the 62nd minute. The home side's new marquee signing, Dejan Joveljic, struggled to make an impact in his debut. The 25-year-old Serbian forward, who enjoyed a breakout season with the Galaxy last year, found space hard to come by, suggesting manager Peter Vermes may need to adjust his tactical approach to maximize the striker's potential.
The victory marked a successful competitive debut for new Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano, whose team displayed impressive defensive organization alongside Messi's attacking brilliance. The win also signals Messi's determination to make amends following last season's disappointing MLS playoff exit.
Both teams will now turn their attention to their MLS season openers, with Inter Miami hosting NYCFC on February 22, while Sporting KC travels to face Austin FC.
