LAFC Stuns Inter Miami as Youngster Ordaz Outshines Messi in Champions Cup Victory A sold-out crowd at BMO Stadium braved chilly conditions and a late-night kickoff on Wednesday to witness soccer icon Lionel Messi in action. However, the night belonged to 21-year-old LAFC Academy product Nathan Ordaz, whose stunning second-half goal secured a crucial 1-0 win over Inter Miami in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal. With this narrow victory, LAFC takes a slim advantage into next week’s decisive second-leg clash in South Florida, where the aggregate score will determine which team advances to the semifinals. LAFC, the only Major League Soccer club to reach the tournament final twice this century, aims to continue its impressive run in international competition. Despite drawing fewer than 25,000 fans combined for its previous Champions Cup matches against Colorado and Columbus, LAFC attracted 22,207 supporters for Miami’s visit, many of whom eagerly anticipated Messi’s every move. Each time the Argentine superstar prepared to take a set piece, the stadium collectively rose to capture the moment. However, it was Ordaz who stole the spotlight. In the 57th minute, the young forward received a precise pass from Mark Delgado, skillfully spun past veteran midfielder Sergio Busquets, and charged forward unmarked. Just as he approached the penalty area, Ordaz unleashed a powerful right-footed strike from 25 yards, threading the ball past defender Maximiliano Falcón and into the bottom corner of the net. The match had its share of physical battles, notably an incident in the first half where Ordaz appeared to make contact with Falcón’s face, sending the Miami defender to the ground. After a lengthy video review, referee Oshane Nation issued only a yellow card, allowing Ordaz to remain on the pitch. LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo chose to keep faith in the youngster at halftime—a decision that proved decisive when he delivered the game-winning goal. Meanwhile, Messi, who famously put three goals past Hugo Lloris in Argentina’s 2022 World Cup final win over France, struggled to replicate his past heroics against the LAFC goalkeeper. Nursing a minor adductor injury in his left leg, Messi spent much of the match conserving energy and had limited impact. He managed two shots on target—one being a 37th-minute free kick that Lloris easily collected and another in the 86th minute, which forced the goalkeeper to scramble and secure a bouncing ball. In stoppage time, Messi had one last opportunity to salvage a draw for Inter Miami, but his left-footed free kick from 30 yards sailed well over the crossbar, sealing his team’s first defeat in 10 matches under new head coach Javier Mascherano. For LAFC, this victory marked just their second win in six matches across all competitions, but it could be a turning point as they aim to make history in the Champions Cup. The second leg in Miami promises an intense battle as both sides fight for a coveted semifinal spot.