Kingston, Jamaica: Inter Miami labored to a 2-0 victory over Jamaica’s Cavalier FC in the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 on March 5, 2025, despite the absence of star forward Lionel Messi.
The Herons ultimately secured the win, but the performance raised concerns as they failed to dominate against an underdog opponent.
🔥 Match Summary: Inter Miami Gets the Job Done Without Messi
Without Lionel Messi — who was left out of the squad for what the club described as “load management” — Inter Miami lacked their usual attacking spark. However, a goal in each half was enough to seal the win and put them in a strong position heading into the second leg.
- ⚽ Robert Taylor opened the scoring in the 34th minute with a calm finish after a well-timed assist from Sergio Busquets.
- ⚽ Leo Campana doubled the lead in the 72nd minute, heading in a corner from Jordi Alba to give the visitors a crucial two-goal cushion.
Despite the win, Inter Miami struggled to break down a stubborn Cavalier defense and failed to convert several clear-cut chances, highlighting Messi’s absence.
🚨 Why Was Messi Absent?
Inter Miami confirmed that Messi’s non-selection was due to load management rather than an injury. The 36-year-old was also rested for the 4-1 MLS win over Houston last Sunday.
The club is clearly focused on managing his minutes carefully, given the packed schedule across Major League Soccer and the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
📊 Key Match Stats
| Stats | Cavalier FC | Inter Miami |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 38% | 62% |
| Shots (on target) | 7 (2) | 14 (6) |
| Corners | 3 | 8 |
| Fouls | 12 | 9 |
| Yellow Cards | 2 | 1 |
🏟️ Post-Match Reactions
Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino (Inter Miami Head Coach):
“It wasn’t our best performance, but we controlled the game. We missed Messi’s magic, but others stepped up. The second leg will be key.”
Robert Taylor (Inter Miami Goal Scorer):
“It felt good to get on the scoresheet, but we know we need to be more clinical. Cavalier made it tough for us.”
🔥 What’s Next?
Inter Miami will host Cavalier for the second leg on March 12, 2025, at the DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. With a two-goal advantage, they’ll be confident of progressing to the quarterfinals — but will Messi return for the crucial home clash?
The Jamaican side, meanwhile, will need a miracle performance to overturn the deficit on American soil.
📈 Conclusion: A Win, but Questions Remain
While Inter Miami’s 2-0 victory puts them in control of the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 tie, Messi’s absence exposed their struggle to create fluid attacking moves. The return leg could see the Argentine superstar back in action, offering the team a much-needed boost as they aim to advance further in the tournament.
Can Miami close the deal at home — or will Cavalier pull off a stunning upset?
👉 Stay tuned for more match previews, injury updates, and post-game analysis!