Without defeat and despite Lionel Messi’s anniversary goal, Inter Miami were eliminated in the last 16 of the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Thomas Müller also experienced a bitter evening.
Inter Miami have already written off their first title of the new season. In the CONCACAF Champions Cup, the equivalent of the European Champions League for teams from North and Central America and the Caribbean, Lionel Messi & Co. were knocked out in the round of 16. Last season, they had advanced to the last four.
The exit was particularly bitter for Inter because it came without defeat. Coach Javier Mascherano’s side were held to a 1-1 draw at home by MLS rivals Nashville SC on Thursday night (CET) after a goalless draw in the first leg. Nashville advanced to the quarter-finals thanks to the away goal.
The hosts had started perfectly: Messi took a pass in the penalty area and finished it perfectly in the tightest of spaces and against several opponents. His sharp low left-footed shot was unstoppable (7th) – and marked a major milestone. It was the 900th goal of the world champion’s career.
Inter’s last home game at Chase Stadium? – Müller without a chance in the end
Nashville were unimpressed, however, and fought their way back after the break. Messi’s compatriot Cristian Espinoza was in the right place after a confusing scene in the penalty area and dusted off the ball to make the final score 1:1 (74′). Hany Mukhtar and his team therefore remain in the competition, the winner of which will be rewarded with a place at the next Club World Cup.
For Inter, it was their first appearance at home after five away games since the MLS Cup triumph in the previous season. And if all goes according to plan, it will also be the last at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. On the night of April 5 (CET), the MLS home game against Austin FC will take place at the new Nu Stadium.
Like Messi, Thomas Müller also bowed out of the CONCACAF Champions Cup early. The Vancouver Whitecaps, who were only stopped in the final last year and got off to a perfect start in the new MLS season, also lost their second clash with the Seattle Sounders (1-2) after a sobering 3-0 home defeat in the first leg. After Jeevan Badwal (24) gave them the lead at the break, the Canadians still had some hope, but a Sounders double in the closing stages (79/83) finally decided this round of 16 tie.
