Messi returns, but Inter Miami eliminated

Inter Miami 2-3 Club Leon

MIAMI, FL–Lionel Messi returned to Inter Miami for the first time since his father’s passing, but his and Inter Miami’s participation in the Leagues Cup came to an end after losing 3-2 to Club Leon at Nu Stadium. Leon is the first team in Leagues Cup to finish with a 100% record in Phase One play winning all three matches.

Daniel Pinter opened the scoring for Inter Miami in the 42nd minute after putting in a low cross from Ian Fray. However, Leon would equalize five minutes into the second half as Didier Cambindo found a criminally unmarked Daniel Arcila in behind the Herons defense.

Yannick Bright restored Miami’s lead four minutes later as Leon failed to clear lines on a corner kick. Juan Pablo Dominguez restored parity in the 61s minute after scoring from just inside the penalty area. Arcila would score for the second time in the 83rd minute, again off a feed from Cambindo, to put Leon ahead for good.

Inter Miami league action on Saturday against Nashville SC (8:30pm ET, Apple TV), while Leon await an MLS side in the quarterfinals of the Leagues Cup.

Photos by Edwin Gomez