Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami experienced one of its most painful nights on Wednesday when it was eliminated in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup 2025 by the Vancouver Whitecaps.
The Canadian team, which had already won the first leg 2-0, finished off the series with a convincing 1-3 win at the DRV PNK Stadium in Florida, leaving a 1-5 aggregate score that was impossible to dispute.
Inter Miami ends with a home drubbing
With renowned players such as Luis Suárez, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets and Lionel Messi going virtually unnoticed, the team led by Javier Mascherano was completely exposed.
Not only did they fail to come from behind, but they ended up losing at home to an opponent that played with order, speed and a lot of intelligence.
This defeat is not an isolated event: it is the Florida team’s third in a row.
First there was the 2-0 loss in Vancouver, then a painful 3-4 loss at home to Dallas that cost them their undefeated record in MLS, and now this resounding defeat in the Concachampions 2025, the continent’s most important international tournament.
A deceptive start and a disastrous second half
Although Vancouver started off dominating under a heavy rain and a very heavy field, Inter Miami was the first to strike.
Messi played a brilliant pass to Suárez, who set up Alba on the left flank.
The Spaniard’s powerful finish made it 1-0, although with some complicity from goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka.
It looked as if the home team was on its way to a comeback, but it was a mirage.
Vancouver reacted strongly, with Pedro Vite and Brian White both scoring and Emmanuel Sabbi crashing a shot against the post.
Mascherano’s team once again showed its Achilles heel: a weak and poorly positioned defense.
With the break came some respite, but also a false sense of control.
In just three minutes of the second half, Vancouver knocked Inter out.
In the 51st minute, Sebastian Berhalter set up White for 1-1, and two minutes later, Berhalter set up Vite, who made it 1-2 after a rebound.
At that point, Inter needed four goals to advance. The blow was lethal
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No reaction and more doubts than answers
From that point on, the home team was emotionally disconnected.
Luis Suarez missed two clear chances, Messi failed to make a difference, and Allende, one of the few who showed intensity, sent a ball against the post.
Finally, Berhalter made it 1-3 after another mistake by the backline, crowning a great night for the Whitecaps and a disastrous one for Miami.
Vancouver makes history as Miami rethinks its future
Buzzy
Despite the injury loss of star player Ryan Gauld, the Whitecaps showed why they lead the MLS Western Conference.
They now await the winner of the match between Tigres UANL and Cruz Azul (1-1 in the first leg) in the final, and dream of becoming just the second MLS team to win the Concachampions, after the Seattle Sounders in 2022.
Inter Miami, on the other hand, will have to focus on getting back on track in the local league and preparing for the next international challenge: the FIFA Club World Cup in June.
But if they do not correct their defensive errors and the excessive dependence on Messi, who no longer always provides the solution, the outlook looks increasingly uncertain.
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