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Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi dribbles the ball during the Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 second-leg match against Cavalier at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica, on Thursday, March 13, 2025. (PHOTO: Marlon Reid).
Jamaica Premier League champions Cavalier SC were eliminated from the Concacaf Champions Cup after a 2-0 defeat to Inter Miami in their Round of 16 second-leg fixture at the National Stadium in Kingston on Thursday night.
Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi scored to secure Miami’s place in the quarterfinals.
Suarez, the 38-year-old Uruguayan striker, converted a penalty kick in the 11th minute to put the U.S. side in front and extend its aggregate lead to three. Messi came on early in the second half and scored in stoppage time—his third goal of the campaign—helping the MLS club advance to the next round with a 4-0 aggregate victory. Inter Miami won 2-nil at home in the opening encounter in Fort Lauderdale, Florida last Thursday.
Inter Miamimanager Javier Mascherano was forced to make an early substitution. David Ruiz exited the match due to injury in the 17th minute, and Benjamin Cremaschi stepped in his place.
Suárez and Sergio Busquets came off in the 53rd minute to make way for Messi and Yannick Bright, respectively. Messi returned to the field after resting in the first leg as well as two league bouts for The Herons.
Inter Miami will take on Los Angeles FC in an all-MLS encounter for a spot in the semifinals. The team is aiming to reach the semifinals for the first time.
Messi’s first visit to the Caribbean for an official match was highly anticipated. The Argentine great and his Miami teammates were greeted by Sports Minister Olivia Grange upon their arrival at the airport.
The Jamaican club usually plays in a 3,000-seat stadium but moved the Champions Cup match to the National Stadium, which has a capacity of 35,000.
Local fans celebrated when World Cup champion Messi sealed the game with a close-range goal in the final minute after a cross from Santiago Morales.
