Miami, Messi crash out of CONCACAF Champions Cup at quarterfinal stage
Al Jazeera
Messi’s return from injury was not enough to prevent Monterrey from cruising to a 5-2 aggregate victory.
Mexican side Monterrey sent Lionel Messi and Inter Miami crashing out of the CONCACAF Champions Cup on Wednesday after completing a 5-2 aggregate victory in their quarterfinal clash.
Goals from Brandon Vazquez, German Berterame and Jesus Gallardo sealed a deserved 3-1 win on the night for the Liga-MX side, who advance to a semifinal with Major League Soccer champions Columbus.
Trailing 2-1 after last week’s first leg in Florida, Inter Miami recalled Argentinian superstar Messi to their starting lineup for the first time since his near month-long injury absence.
But the presence of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner was not enough to inspire Inter against a Monterrey side who looked far sharper in all departments.
Inter goalkeeper Drake Callender was forced into action early on, saving smartly after a bullet header by Monterrey’s US international striker Vazquez.
