KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Inter Miami CF earned a 1-nil victory against Sporting Kansas City in the first leg of their Round One Series as the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup continued Wednesday at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas.
The clearest chances in the first half were courtesy of the visitors, with Luis Suárez being just wide of the mark with an attempt from inside the box in the 8’ and a long-range right-footed drive in the 38’.
Inter Miami found the opener in the 56’ through Lionel Messi, who sent the ball to the back of the net with a right-footed finish inside the box to capitalize on a precise long-ball delivered by Sergio Busquets.
Messi’s goal against Sporting Kansas City was his first right-footed goal in continental club competition since doing so in the UEFA Champions League with FC Barcelona in 2019 against Manchester United.
Seventeen of Sergio Busquets’ last 29 assists in all club competitions for FC Barcelona and Inter Miami set up goals scored by Lionel Messi, dating back to March 2016.
Lionel Messi has been involved in 66 goals (52 goals, 14 assists) in 81 career knockout stage matches in continental competitions (UEFA Champions League and Concacaf Champions Cup), including at least one goal involvement in all four of his appearances in the Concacaf Champions Cup (3 goals, 2 assists).
Óscar Ustari stood out in goal for the Herons, registering three saves to collect his first clean sheet of the campaign.
The victory marks the first away win for Inter Miami in the Concacaf Champions Cup.
Erick Thommy attempted seven dribbles against Inter Miami, the most for a Sporting Kansas City player in a Concacaf Champions Cup match since 2016, equaling Yohan Croizet’s against Independiente La Chorrera and Gerso against Monterrey in 2019.
The two clubs will meet again next Tuesday in Florida for their second-leg match. The aggregate winner will advance to the Round of 16.
