Inter Miami clearly missed out on the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup. In the second leg at CF Monterrey, Lionel Messi’s return to the starting eleven did not help, while Jordi Alba was sent off
FC Bayern and Borussia Dortmund will not face Inter Miami at the 2025 Club World Cup. The team led by Lionel Messi would have had to win this year’s edition of the CONCACAF Champions Cup in order to take part in the overhauled competition, which will be held in the USA next year for the first time with 32 teams. But early on Thursday morning (CEST), they were eliminated in the quarter-finals against CF Monterrey.
After the late 2-1 home defeat in the first leg a week ago, Inter suffered a 3-1 defeat at the Mexican top-flight club. The disaster began with a serious blunder by goalkeeper Drake Callender. The 26-year-old played the ball unchallenged into the feet of Brandon Vazquez in his own penalty area, who gratefully accepted the gift to take the lead (31′). When former MLS professional German Berterame increased the lead to 2:0 with a spectacular long-range shot (58′), Monterrey’s semi-final place was practically perfect.
Jordi Alba’s quick finish – Messi’s assist comes too late
Jesus Gallardo even made it 3-0 with a header (64′), while at the other end Jordi Alba was sent off with a yellow card within four minutes (77′). Messi, who had celebrated his comeback as a substitute at the weekend after a week-long break due to a thigh injury and scored straight away, was in the starting eleven but was barely able to make an impact this time. At least the world champion set up Inter’s consolation goal through Diego Gomez (85′).
Inter, who started the new MLS season with twelve points from eight games, had qualified for the CONCACAF Champions Cup, the Champions League for clubs from North and Central America and the Caribbean, as Leagues Cup winners. However, Monterrey were one step too big, as feared beforehand.
