FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Inter Miami triumphed 2-0 against Cavalier FC in the Concacaf Champions Cup round of 16, despite the absence of Lionel Messi.
First Half Drama
Cavalier FC, the Jamaican Premier League champions, gave Inter Miami a scare. They had multiple chances, including a disallowed goal after a lengthy VAR check. But Inter Miami held strong and prevented a breakthrough.
Second Half Spark
In the second half, Inter Miami came alive. Tadeo Allende scored in the 61st minute, and Luis Suarez doubled the lead with a goal in the 83rd minute. Inter Miami now leads 2-0 on aggregate.
Coach’s Thoughts
Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano praised his team’s resilience but acknowledged the close call. “We were lucky,” he said. “We could have been burned, but we finished stronger.”
Looking Ahead to the Return Leg
Cavalier FC will try to overturn the deficit in the second leg on March 13 in Jamaica. Inter Miami, however, will be confident with their solid performance. Messi’s status remains uncertain, but Inter Miami plans to rest him to avoid fatigue.
Next Matches:
- March 9: Inter Miami vs. Charlotte (MLS)
- March 13: Cavalier FC vs. Inter Miami (Champions Cup)
- March 16: Atlanta vs. Inter Miami (MLS)
Messi’s Upcoming Schedule:
- March 21: Uruguay vs. Argentina (World Cup Qualifier)
- March 25: Argentina vs. Brazil (World Cup Qualifier)
