Messi and Inter Miami Are One Step Away from Advancing | OneFootball

Inter Miami has everything lined up to move forward in the Concacaf Champions Cup. A 1-0 aggregate lead, a star-studded squad, and Messi, who, even while freezing in the Kansas City winter, pulled off one of those moments only he can create. Now, back in sunny Fort Lauderdale, it should just be a matter of managing the lead and punching their ticket to the next round against Cavalier FC from Jamaica.

But Sporting KC is coming into this second leg fired up, with nothing to lose and a chip on their shoulder. They know they need two goals to flip the script. And if there's one thing this tournament has taught us over the years, it's that you should never count out a team with its back against the wall.

If Inter Miami doesn’t advance, it’ll be an embarrassment. We’re talking about a team that dominated MLS last season, steamrolling their way to the Supporters’ Shield. We’re talking about an attacking trio featuring Messi, Suárez, and Alba, all under the leadership of Javier Mascherano, a guy who knows exactly what it means to compete at the highest level.

But let’s not pretend everything’s perfect. Their MLS opener showed an Inter Miami squad that still looked rusty. A 2-2 draw against New York City FC that could’ve easily been a loss if Messi hadn’t decided to dish out assists like he was playing a casual pickup game. To make matters worse, they played a good chunk of that match a man down after Tomás Avilés saw red.

Sporting KC, meanwhile, is coming off back-to-back 1-0 losses, one to Inter Miami and another to Austin FC in their MLS opener. Their attack hasn’t clicked yet. New signings Dejan Joveljić and Manu García haven’t made an impact, and coach Peter Vermes is still tinkering with his lineup. But none of that matters now. What matters is they need two goals to stay alive.

And you know what? That could be dangerous for Inter Miami. A desperate team afraid of losing is easy to control. But a team that’s already losing, already written off, and playing with nothing to lose? That’s the kind of opponent that can cause chaos.

If Sporting KC plays loose, free, with no pressure, they could be a problem. One early goal, and suddenly, Inter Miami starts feeling the weight of expectations. Two goals, and now we’ve got a full-blown crisis.

Of course, Inter Miami has one major advantage: Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini. This guy simply doesn’t understand the concept of an "off night." When the ball’s at his feet, something’s bound to happen. That’s exactly what went down in the first leg, even in temperatures that would make a penguin reach for a jacket.

But how far can Messi carry this team? He already bailed them out against NYCFC in MLS play, he already won the first leg of this Champions Cup tie, and if necessary, he’ll probably step up again. The problem is, Inter Miami can’t rely on him to play firefighter every single game. It’s one thing to have a superstar who can tip the scales. It’s another to need him to save the day over and over again.

The likely game plan? Inter Miami will look to control possession, slow things down, and finish it off with a counterattack. Sporting KC, on the other hand, will press high, push forward, and chase that early goal. If they don’t get it, they’re at serious risk of getting caught out and conceding on the break.

If I had to bet, I’d say Inter Miami goes through, but not without a few scares. Their defense still needs work, and if Sporting KC plays smart, they can make things difficult. But at the end of the day, having Messi on the field means that even on an off night, Inter Miami can win with one flash of genius.