Monterrey sent Lionel Messi and Inter Miami crashing out of the Concacaf Champions Cup on Wednesday after completing a 5-2 aggregate victory in their quarterfinal clash.
Goals from American Brandon Vazquez, German Berterame and Jesus Gallardo sealed a deserved 3-1 win on the night for the Liga MX side, which advances to the semifinals against MLS champion Columbus.
Trailing 2-1 after last week’s first leg in Florida, Inter Miami recalled Messi to their starting lineup for the first time since his near-month-long injury absence.
But the presence of the eight-time Ballon D’Or winner was not enough to inspire Inter against a Monterrey that looked far sharper in all departments.
Inter goalkeeper Drake Callender was forced into action early on, saving smartly after a bullet header by Vazquez.
Messi had Miami’s best chance of the first half but he shot over the bar from just inside the area on 25 minutes.
Monterrey took the lead on 31 minutes after Vazquez punished a howler from Callender. The goalkeeper miscued an attempted pass to Sergio Busquets and found Vazquez just yards from the Miami goal.
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