Messi’s 56th Minute Goal Gives Inter Miami 1–0 Win Over Sporting KC in Champions Cup

Sporting Kansas City midfielder Memo Rodríguez, left, and Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi compete for the ball during the first half of a CONCACAF Champions Cup soccer match, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, in Kansas City, Kan. Colin E. Braley/AP Photo

KANSAS CITY, Kan.—Lionel Messi did what Lionel Messi does.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner scored from the right side of the box in the 56th minute to lift Inter Miami past Sporting Kansas City 1–0 on a bitterly cold Wednesday night in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup’s first round.