On the morning of February 20 (Vietnam time), Inter Miami visited Sporting KC's field in the first leg of the 1/16 round of the Concacaf Champions Cup. This is Inter Miami's first official match of the 2025 season.
The first half witnessed a fairly balanced game when Sporting KC took the initiative to play tight defense to prevent Messi and his teammates.
Although Inter Miami controlled the ball better, they had difficulty penetrating the visitors' defense. Inter Miami's notable opportunities, such as Rodriguez's shot in the 41st minute or Suarez's shot in the 35th minute, were all unsuccessful.
Entering the second half, Inter Miami gradually took control of the game and scored the opening goal in the 56th minute. Sergio Busquets made a delicate pass to Messi, who skillfully controlled the ball before finishing diagonally, defeating Sporting KC goalkeeper pulskamp. This goal not only helped the home team relieve pressure but also made the match more attractive.
After conceding the goal, Sporting KC increased the pressure, creating a number of scoring opportunities, especially Salloi's shot in the 63rd minute. However, his shot was too weak and was easily caught by Inter Miami goalkeeper Ustari.
Although Sporting KC tried to attack in the final minutes, Inter Miami still successfully defended their advantage and won 1-0. This is an important victory, giving Messi's team an advantage before the second leg at home.
