Vancouver Whitecaps Outclass Messi’s Inter Miami to Reach CONCACAF Champions Cup Final

Needing to overturn a two-goal deficit, Inter Miami’s hopes were briefly lifted when Jordi Alba scored in the 9th minute.

Vancouver Whitecaps delivered a stunning performance on Wednesday evening as the Canadian side defeated Inter Miami 3-1 in the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup semi-final. As a result, Whitecaps secured a dominant 5-1 aggregate victory to book a place in the final on June 1.

The Whitecaps made history by becoming the first team ever to win their first two matches against a Lionel Messi team, adding a major feather to their cap as they head into a continental final showdown with either Tigres UANL or Cruz Azul.

WE'RE OFF TO THE SHOW! 🏆

'Caps are @TheChampions Finals bound for the first time in history 😭#VWFC | #ConcaChampions pic.twitter.com/Kyc6s1CNAO
— Vancouver Whitecaps FC (@WhitecapsFC) May 1, 2025

Needing to overturn a two-goal deficit, Inter Miami’s hopes were briefly lifted when Jordi Alba netted his first goal of the season in the 9th minute, giving the home team an early 1-0 lead. But despite dominating possession and creating several promising opportunities, Inter Miami failed to convert their chances into goals. For all their attacking intent and pressure, the equalizer that could have sparked a comeback never arrived, leaving them frustrated at the stroke of half-time.

Sebastian Berhalter Leads Vancouver’s Comeback

Vancouver responded emphatically after the break, tearing through Miami’s backline with two quickfire goals. Brian White levelled the match in the 51st minute, latching on to a pass from Sebastian Berhalter, who again turned provider two minutes later when Pedro Vite’s deflected strike beat Oscar Ustari to turn the game on its head. Berhalter then sealed the result with a well-taken finish in the 71st minute – his third goal contribution of the night.

Also Read: See You in the Next Game: Lionel Messi Hits Back After Vancouver Whitecaps Fans Boo Inter Miami off the Pitch

Berhalter played a pivotal role in Vancouver’s semi-final victory as the American midfielder was involved in all five of Vancouver Whitecaps’ goals in the tie. However, he will be sidelined for the final having picked up a yellow card in the first half. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi has now gone four straight games without finding the net for his team. Miami suffered a third consecutive loss, the first such streak since Messi’s arrival.

CONCACAF

CONCACAF Champions Cup

Inter Miami

Lionel Messi

Sebastian Berhalter

Vancouver Whitecaps

Abhinav Goel

soccer

I am a soccer writer at The PlayOffs, covering everything from match analysis to transfer buzz and tactical deep dives. Ever since I was a kid, soccer has been more than just a sport to me—it’s been an obsession. Playing and watching the game from a young age fueled my passion, eventually leading me into the world of sports media and betting. Now, I get to analyze the sport I love and bring the latest updates to fans worldwide.