Lionel Messi’s first trip to Mexico for an official match did not end well.
Monterrey beat Inter Miami 3-1 on Wednesday night in the second leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup quarter-finals, the Concacaf equivalent of the Champions League. Goals from Brandon Vazquez, Germán Berterame and Jesús Gallardo were enough to eliminate Miami 5-2 on aggregate.
Diego Gómez scored Miami’s only goal in the 85th minute. Messi started the match, but had just one chance in the first half.
“As a coach, I’m happy to eliminate a great team. Gerardo [Martino] and Leo [Messi] are a great coach and player who are recognized worldwide,” Monterrey coach Fernando Ortiz said. “We have the satisfaction to win the series.”
Before the quarter-final, Ortiz said that he was confident of his team’s talents, but was worried that the referees could be influenced by Messi’s presence.
