With three goals in the first half, the Herons ended the match and secured their place in the Round of 16.

In the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup match, Inter Miami defeated Sporting Kansas City 3-1 (4-1 overall) on Tuesday night. The Herons advanced to the competition’s Round of 16 after winning both of their home and away legs in Round 1.

Lionel Messi himself opened the goal as Javier Mascherano’s team put on a strong display. Just 19 minutes into the game, the Argentine scored with a fairly incredible volley after Luis Suarez had crossed the ball.

Tadeo Allende and Luis Suarez both scored in stoppage time of the first half to give them a four-goal advantage on aggregate at the half, ending the tie before the second half even started. Two more goals came quickly after.

In the second half, Sporting did extend their lead when MLS veteran Memo Rodriguez scored after a deft deflection off defender Maximiliano Falcon. But it wasn’t the spark they were expecting for; they lost four goals and never got another one.

The Herons’ outstanding midfield play helped to halt Sporting’s comeback attempt, but as the whistle drew nearer, they eventually collapsed and played without inspiration. It was Sporting’s fourth consecutive Champions Cup defeat in all years of competition.

Cavalier SC of the Jamaican Premier League will play Inter Miami in the competition’s next round. The island club’s victory in the 2023–24 season was their most recent accomplishment; they have won the domestic title three times in their history. Additionally, they won the CONCACAF Caribbean Cup in 2023–24.