Lionel Messi, Inter Miami eliminated from Concacaf Champions Cup after rough quarterfinal loss to Monterrey

American Brandon Vazquez found the net for the Liga MX side thanks to a horrendous goalkeeper error

Inter Miami's road in the Concacaf Champions Cup has come to an end as they were run out of Mexico following a 3-1 loss to Monterrey in their quarterfinal second leg. The Herons lost 5-2 on aggregate to Rayados in what Tata Martino deemed their most important competition of the season, with their failure to win the cup costing them a trip to the Club World Cup. Lionel Messi made his return to the starting XI for the match but it wasn't enough, as he had just one shot on target.

Miami's loss now means that the Columbus Crew are the only Major League Soccer team remaining in the Champions Cup alongside Monterrey, Pachuca, and Club America. The Herons didn't put up a fight as it seemed like they were on tired legs and went flat after a Drake Callender giveaway led to Brandon Vazquez scoring the opener in the 31st minute.

Robert Taylor, David Ruiz and Serhiy Kryvtsov all missed the match due to injuries or suspension leaving Martino without clear changes to make once they went behind. The frustration was showing by the end as Jordi Alba received two yellow cards in four minutes forcing Miami to finish the match with 10 men.

What does this mean for the Herons?

Now out of Champions Cup and not participating in the U.S. Open Cup, the Herons will now have to focus on the league and Leagues Cup for trophies. Their next match is Saturday against Sporting Kansas City at Arrowhead Stadium.

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[Apr 10, 2024 at 10:32 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Monterrey 3, Inter Miami 1 (FT)

[Apr 11, 2024 at 12:35 am ET · Chuck Booth]

A consolation goal wasn't enough

Inter Miami did get a goal from Diego Gomez to avoid being shut out in the match but tired legs caught up to the Herons in a big way. Monterrey showed why they are one of the favorites for the competition with both Brandon Vazquez and German Berterame finding the back of the net and Miami only got one shot on target during the entire match as Monterrey's defense also put in an impressive shift.

[Apr 11, 2024 at 12:09 am ET · Chuck Booth]

Inter Miami are down to 10

Jordi Alba has received yellow cards separated by four minutes emulating David Ruiz in the first leg. The frustration is showing for the Herons now.

[Apr 10, 2024 at 11:57 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Oh, this is bad

Monterrey have a third and they're running riot on the Herons as Gallardo has had a massive header in space to put the match firmly out of hand.

[Apr 10, 2024 at 11:50 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Monterrey flex their muscles 

It's German Berterame who hit that ball with venom from outside of the box. 32 minutes remain and the Herons need three goals before the match is over. This is a trip to Mexico to forget.

[Apr 10, 2024 at 11:43 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Almost a second

Monterrey are going for a dagger in the match as a second goal could firmly put this out of reach for Inter Miami who are behind 3-1 on aggregate currently. 

[Apr 10, 2024 at 11:38 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Back out for the second half

No changes for either side but the pressure is building on Miami by the minute.

[Apr 10, 2024 at 11:19 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Miami puts the ball in the back of the net

But it won't count as Suarez was offside to get behind the Monterrey defense. 

[Apr 10, 2024 at 11:16 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Almost halftime

The Rayados defense has held firm so far in the match as Miami have only taken two shots so far in the match putting none on target. It's clear that the Herons are getting frustrated as Suarez put a Monterrey defender in an armbar but avoided being carded for it.

[Apr 10, 2024 at 11:04 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Oh no, Drake Callender

Callender had a bad giveaway after having his back to goal and Brandon Vazquez read it perfectly to put Monterrey ahead. Miami now needs two goals to force extra time.

[Apr 10, 2024 at 10:58 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Miami needs a goal soon 

The longer that this match goes, the more that it favors Monterrey. Due to away goals if Miami only scores one goal during the game, Monterrey will be the team that advances. 

[Apr 10, 2024 at 10:50 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

More danger

Berterame got free and ripped a shot right at Callender as Monterrey are putting plenty of pressure on the Herons despite holding less possession. 

[Apr 10, 2024 at 10:39 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Great from Callender

Monterrey had a good chance from a header but it was saved by the Miami keeper before leading to the open goal. The pressure is building.

[Apr 10, 2024 at 10:37 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Miami are pushing the pace

While Miami have had 92% of possession early in the match, they haven't done much with that possession while Monterrey are dangerous on the counter. The pitch has already had issues with divots needing to get fixed so that could cause issues with Miami's passing play.

[Apr 10, 2024 at 10:32 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Time to get underway

It's go time for Inter Miami and Monterrey with a spot in the final four of Champions Cup.

[Apr 10, 2024 at 10:25 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Prediction

Miami will score a quick opener but Monterrey's depth will put the match out of reach late.. Pick: Monterrey 2, Inter Miami 1

[Apr 10, 2024 at 10:19 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Inter Miami fined for lack of security

Could there be fireworks in this match after the coming together between Lionel Messi and Monterrey's head coach Fernando Ortiz. Ortiz suggested that Miami would get preferential treatment by referees in their opening match which the Argentine didn't take a liking to.

Concacaf's statement it below:

The Concacaf Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned Inter Miami CF (USA) for incidents that occurred after their 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup First Leg Quarterfinal match against CF Monterrey (MEX) on Wednesday, April 3, 2024.

After considering the documentation and evidence gathered during their investigation, which included requesting written statements from both clubs and thoroughly reviewing the reports submitted by the match officials, and based on the competition's regulations and the applicable Disciplinary Code, the Disciplinary Committee has fined Inter Miami CF an undisclosed amount for lack of security in their stadium.

Furthermore, the Committee has warned Inter Miami CF that more severe sanctions could be taken should incidents occur during their future matches in Concacaf club competitions.

[Apr 10, 2024 at 9:43 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

It's a dual strikeforce for Monterrey

Vazquez and Berterame start together to put pressure on Miami's defense.

Monterrey starters: Andrada, Aguirre, Guzman, Medina, Arteaga, Romo, Canales, Meza, Vazquez, Gallardo, Berterame

[Apr 10, 2024 at 9:36 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Messi returns to the XI

Would Tata Martino have it any other way in a must win the match?

Inter Miami starters: Callender, Alba, Allen, Freire, Aviles, Weiganot, Gomez, Busquets, Gressel, Suarez, Messi

[Apr 10, 2024 at 9:28 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

How to watch and odds

• Date: Wednesday, April 10 | Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
• Location: Estadio BBVA -- Guadalupe, Mexico
• TV: FS1  | Live stream: Fubo (Try for free)
• Odds: Monterrey -111; Draw +230; Inter Miami +235

[Apr 10, 2024 at 9:16 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Hello and welcome

After the Columbus Crew advanced to the last four of the Concacaf Champions Cup, Inter Miami will look to overturn a one goal deficit for an aggregate victory over Monterrey. Witha. spot in the Club World Cup as the prize for winning the competition, there are plenty of reasons why the Herons would want to advance but it won't be an easy task facing one of the best teams in Mexico.