By Eric Blum
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Lionel Messi made his first start since returning from injury but was unable to conjure up any magic for Inter Miami, as they were eliminated from the CONCACAF Champions Cup by Mexican side Monterrey in a crushing 3-1 loss.
Messi had been out since March 13 with a hamstring injury, prior to a scoring appearance as a substitute last weekend in the 2-2 draw against the Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer.
Inter Miami entered the Champions Cup quarterfinal on Wednesday only needing two unanswered goals to advance to an All-American semifinal against the Columbus Crew. Instead, they crashed out 5-2 on aggregate on a deeply disappointing night with co-owner David Beckham watching on from the stands.
But by being eliminated by Monterrey, Inter Miami also will not play in the expanded FIFA Club World Cup in 2025 taking place in the United States.
Messi did play for the game’s entire 90 minutes in his first start in a month and, curiously, coach Tata Martino did not make a single change to his Miami team all night.
Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami squad was eliminated from the CONCACAF Champions Cup
United States men’s national team forward Brandon Vazquez scored the game’s opening goal
Messi did not get a shot on goal during the game against Monterrey on Wednesday night
Monterrey scores another one! pic.twitter.com/DL9fnj6M7f
United States men’s national team striker Brandon Vazquez scored the game’s opening goal in the 31st minute on a horrible mistake from countryman Drake Callender, who essentially passed the ball to his opponent from six yards out. Vaquez duly did the rest.
Just before halftime, Luis Suarez nearly put Inter Miami level, scoring before he was ruled offside after starting his run too early to latch onto a through ball by Messi.
Monterrey doubled its lead on the evening in the 58th minute on a German Berterame screamer.
Dribbling around a Miami defender, Berterame took the shot from outside the box, beating an outstretched Callender on a rocket to the upper-right corner of the net.
While the goalkeeper was unquestionably at fault for the first, there was not much that he could do for the second.
Jesus Gallardo scored Monterrey’s final goal of the evening in the 64th minute on a header with Miami’s defense playing too relaxed with the result in hand.
Jordi Alba was shown a red card in the 78th minute for a second yellow card and an angry exchange with the referee.
But Inter Miami made sure they did not leave Mexico scoreless, adding a consolation marker in the 85th minute from Diego Gomez.
Jordi Alba was shown a red card in the 78th minute with the result already in hand in Mexico
Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham was in attendance for the team’s loss to Monterrey
Luis Suarez joined Miami for another chance to play with Messi after their time at Barcelona
Gomez’s goal was Inter Miami’s only shot on goal of the entire contest.
The loss was also Miami head coach Martino’s first time coaching a game back in Mexico since being fired as the country’s men’s national team head coach in 2022.
‘All the players we had on the bench were young players, we were not in a situation to use them, I did not want to throw them into adverse conditions, so I felt it was best to finish the game with the players who started,’ Martino said in after the game, when quizzed on his refusal to change things up.
The winner of Columbus-Monterrey will face the winner of Pachuca-Club America in the cup final.
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are back in MLS action this weekend with a Saturday night clash against Sporting Kansas City.
The game will take place at Arrowhead Stadium, home of the NFL’s Super Bowl winners, Kansas City Chiefs.
Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd
Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group
