Messi, Miami Suffer First Defeat Of The Season In Concacaf Champions Cup

Inter Miamis perfect start to the season was abruptly halted on Wednesday as they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Los Angeles FC in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup quarter-final. A 57th-minute goal from Nathan Ordaz, who struck from the edge of the box, handed LAFC a crucial advantage ahead of next weeks return leg in Florida.

Miami, unbeaten in their first nine games of the season, entered the match as the stronger side, but LAFC dominated after a cautious first half. Despite missing an early chance when Ryan Hollingshead fired wide, LAFC found the breakthrough just minutes after with Ordazs clinical finish, leaving Miamis defense scrambling.

Lionel Messi, starting for the first time since returning from injury, was unable to influence the match significantly. While Miami had some opportunities, such as a header from Maxi Falcon that was comfortably saved by LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, it was LAFC who looked more dangerous. The home crowd, which included NBA star Stephen Curry and Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni, saw their team hold firm, with Miamis frustrations mounting as Sergio Busquets was booked for a reckless challenge.

Messi's final chance to equalize came in stoppage time with a free-kick that sailed well over the bar, sealing a deserved 1-0 win for LAFC.