Lionel Messi was outstanding at pivotal times. After the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner curved a magnificent effort from the right side of the box in the 56th minute, Inter Miami defeated Sporting Kansas City 1-0 in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup first round on a very cold Wednesday night.
“One guy can turn the game over, and he did,” manager Peter Vermes of Sporting KC remarked.
Miami coach Javier Mascherano condensed: “Fantastic.”
Before 15,178 bundled-up spectators at Children’s Mercy Park, both teams battled to control the ball on a difficult, slick surface.
It seemed like minus 11 degrees since gametime temperatures dipped to 3 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 16 degrees Celsius) with a harsh 9 mph (14.48 kph) wind.
“I’m really proud since I think it’s impossible to perform in these conditions,” Mascherano said. Not human is what I say. I’m pleased as they offered me perfect performance.
Sergio Busquets passed to Messi, who blasted past Sporting KC goalie John Pulskamp and avoided the closest defender.
” Maybe for the people that know him, it’s normal since he’s scored goals like this 1,000 times,” Mascherano said. We are, nonetheless, fortunate to have him.
Vermes praised KC’s slowing of Miami’s attack.
“Beyond that goal, I thought we were quite good,” he said. “We had excellent possibilities. About our first performance, particularly considering such a young team, I cannot say enough.
Vermes believed few players could equal Messi.
“It’s not just us, just everybody,” he said. “The planet all around. Not one performs against him well. He knows how to change the game. There are not many players like that in the game worldwide. Their numbers over generations are minimal. He comes from Argentina, as does Diego Maradona.
Sporting KC led the rest of the way; still searching for an equalizer. Miami goalie Oscar Ustari blocked shots in both halves, though. Daniel Sallói had the best opportunity when he broke free behind Miami’s defense but fired straight at Ustari.
