2024-04-04 02:05:10
The quarterfinals of the Concacaf Champions Cup continued this Wednesday. In the first game, Inter Miami, with one player less and still without Lionel Messi, was defeated 2-1 by Monterrey-MEX. Avilés scored for the American team, while Meza and Jorge Rodríguez scored for the Mexican team. The match was played at Lockhart Stadium, in the USA.
The defeat is a bad result for Inter Miami, as the away goal is still used as a tiebreaker in the competition. In other words, if the US team wants to advance to the semifinals, they will need to win the return in Mexico by two goals. A 2-1 victory for Messi’s team takes the place to extra time. The second game is scheduled for next Wednesday (10), at 11:30 pm (Brasília time).
Inter Miami now turns its attention to MLS. In a commitment valid for the seventh round of the Eastern Conference, the team faces the Colorado Rapids. The ball rolls this Saturday, at 8:30 pm, at Lockhart Stadium.
Monterrey returns to the field one day after Inter Miami. The team visits Cruz Azul this Sunday, starting at midnight, at the Estádio Azul. The clash is valid for the 14th round of the Mexican Championship – Clausura.
The game
Three minutes into the match, Monterrey almost opened the scoring in the United States. After a good move on the left, the ball was crossed low into the area. Busquets cleared it badly and Brandon Vazquez stayed with it. The center forward finished, but goalkeeper Callender made a good save and sent it out for a corner.
After 15 minutes, the Mexican team dominated the game, even playing away from home. On another opportunity, Canales took a risk from outside the area and the finish served as a pass. Unmarked, Brandon Vazquez ended up breaking through and wasting a good chance to open the scoring.
But football is a sport full of surprises, and that’s what happened. With 18 minutes, Inter Miami scored the first goal of the match. After a low corner kick from Gressel, Avilés got ahead of the Monterrey defense and managed to touch the ball to put it in the back of the net.
In the 44th minute, Inter Miami almost doubled their lead. Suárez dominated the chest after the throw and put it on the ground. The center forward invaded the penalty area and shot across the ball, but the ball deflected into the defense. Goalkeeper Andrada, who was already falling to the left side, showed that his reflex is up to date – he quickly recovered and made the save on the right side of the goal.
Toto gives us the advantage after a great corner from Gressel👊🔥 #MIAvMTY #ChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/6CRWLAYPeb
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) April 4, 2024
Inter Miami returned for the second half with the idea of holding on to the minimum advantage. However, life was complicated as David Ruíz received a red card and, as a result, the American team was one less.
And quickly, with one more, Monterrey managed to equalize the score. After a corner kick, the Mexican team’s attack rose to head it. The ball deflected off Busquets, but Callender managed to make the save. However, the archer sent the ball into the area and Meza took advantage of the chance to make it 1-1. After checking by the VAR, the goal was validated.
And it was with cruelty, in the 44th minute of the final stage, that Monterrey managed to turn things around. Inter Miami played the wrong way and Jorge Rodríguez stayed with them at the edge of the area. The player adjusted and hit to score a great goal at Lockhart Stadium and declare the visitors’ triumph.
BUT HOW CRAZY YOU ARE, CORK!🔥🔝
GOALOOOO! pic.twitter.com/PFugxJfNn7
— Rayados (@Rayados) April 4, 2024
#Messi #Inter #Miami #suffers #Monterrey #upset #Concachampions #quarterfinals