Lionel Messi shines as Inter Miami clinch quarter-final berth in CONCACAF Champions Cup

NEW DELHI: Inter Miami secured a coveted spot in the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarter-finals with a resounding 3-1 victory over Nashville in a riveting showdown on Wednesday, sealing a commanding 5-3 aggregate triumph.

The clash was marked by standout performances from star strikers Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi, who left an indelible mark on the field.

Messi set up Suarez for the eighth-minute opener and then the Argentine found the target himself in the 23rd minute for Miami.

However, Miami faced a setback as Messi was substituted in the 50th minute due to concerns over his hamstring. Explaining the decision, Martino stated, "He has an overload in his right hamstring. So we didn't want to take any risks."

Looking ahead, Martino expressed doubts about Messi's availability for the upcoming game against D.C. United, noting, "I imagine that for Saturday's game, he is not going to be available."

Despite this setback, Miami's dominance prevailed, with Robert Taylor sealing the victory with a well-timed header in the 63rd minute. Reflecting on the team's performance, Taylor remarked, "We got the goals that we needed at the start. Then we knew in the second half they would try their all to score and they did put on more pressure."

Miami's triumph showcased their prowess and determination, propelling them into the quarter-finals of the prestigious tournament.

Meanwhile, in other CONCACAF action, Herediano secured passage to the last eight with a 1-1 draw against Robinhood, while Club America defended a 3-0 lead against Chivas Guadalajara in an all-Mexican clash.

(With inputs from AFP)