Lionel Messi scored twice as Inter Miami fought back from 2-0 down on aggregate to defeat Los Angeles FC 3-1 and clinch a place in the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup on Wednesday.
Messi yet again proved decisive in what was a frantic, chaotic, and entertaining encounter, sealing a 3-2 aggregate victory from the penalty spot with six minutes of normal time remaining.
While there has never been any doubt that the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner still has the technical ability to win games at the age of 37, this was a night when Messi showed he retains the passion and aggression needed for a battle.
In the final minutes of stoppage time, Messi was chasing down opponents and putting in challenges as his team just about hung on for the win.
It was a display which left his coach and former Argentina and Barcelona team-mate Javier Mascherano describing the forward as the “soul” of the team.
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Mascherano said: “He’s a guy who has already done everything in football; he’s the greatest in history, and he continues to set an example of how to compete.
“Until the last day, he plays on a pitch he’s going to want to win, and he’s going to do the impossible to win. And it’s not just about wanting to, you also have to be able to, and he has that ability.”
Mascherano accepted his team were far from perfect but was delighted with the fight they showed.
“We have a lot of things to improve, but this is the way. This is the way to play football. We tried to give everything, 100%, with some mistakes, but until the end fighting, giving everything,” he added.
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