Lionel Messi, Inter Miami facing Champions Cup exit danger after controversial LAFC defeat
The stars came out to see Lionel Messi on his latest visit to Los Angeles, but it was a less-than-sparkling night for the Inter Miami superstar as his team slumped to a 1-0 defeat against LAFC in the first leg of its Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal.
Messi's appearance tempted several members of the NBA's Golden State Warriors to BMO Stadium, along with veteran recording artist Lionel Richie and rapper Becky G, but a 57th minute strike from Nathan Ordaz was enough to tilt the clash in favor of the home side, who will carry their slender advantage into next Wednesday's second leg.
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Ordaz collected the ball in space, advanced quickly and smashed it home from outside the area to give LAFC a lead it would never surrender. Earlier, Miami had strongly argued for Ordaz's dismissal after he tangled with defender Maximiliano Falcón and appeared to make heavy contact with a swinging arm.
Instead, referee Oshane Anthony Nation opted to issue just a yellow card to the 21-year-old after viewing video replay, much to LAFC's relief. After a scoreless first half, Ordaz made the most of his good fortune.
A deep strike from Nathan Ordaz gives @LAFC the lead in @TheChampions! 👏 pic.twitter.com/qmnfYSNUkR
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 3, 2025
LAFC improved as the game went on, but still had to withstand a series of half chances that Messi often turns into goals.
The Argentina forward sent one free kick from just outside the box over Hugo Lloris' crossbar and delivered another straight into the arms of LAFC's French goalkeeper, who famously came off second best against Messi in the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar.
Late on, a swift-footed run into the penalty area and a low shot were not enough to bother Lloris, before a final free kick was curled too high in the waning minutes, leaving Miami with plenty to ponder on their journey home and ahead of Sunday's MLS regular-season clash with Toronto FC.
There have been some concerns over Messi's fitness, and his usage by coach Javier Mascherano has been intermittent in recent weeks. He missed Argentina's thumping victory over Brazil last week with a hip complaint. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni was present in L.A. to watch Wednesday's proceedings.
This was Miami's first defeat of the 2025 season, having won four of its first five MLS games while accumulating 13 points. Messi and company are hoping to avoid a repeat of last season's quarterfinal exit, where Liga MX's Monterrey were too strong over two legs and Messi was hindered by injury.
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The visitors received another blow, with Sergio Busquets destined to miss the second leg after receiving a yellow card, taking him over the accumulation threshold for a one-game ban.
For LAFC, Denis Bouanga was strong and threatening, while a defense marshaled by Aaron Long held firm in the face of consistent pressure.
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