• concacaf

Monterrey, Mexico, Apr 10 (EFE).- M

Mexican club Monterrey beat Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami 3-1 at home to qualify for the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup on Wednesday.

Brandon Vazquez, Argentinian German Berterame and Jesus Gallardo scored for Monterrey in the second leg of the quarterfinal clash between the two teams while Diego Gomez netted Miami’s only goal.

The Mexican team had won the first leg 2-1 last week.

Miami dominated possession throughout the match but was unable to bother Monterrey goalkeeper Esteban Andrada for much of the game, something that the Rayados took advantage of to open the scoring in the first half.

After making two saves, Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender miscued an attempted pass to Sergio Busquets that found Vázquez, who made it 1-0 in the 31st minute.

Messi, who played his first official match in Mexico, had his clearest shot in the entire game in the 25th minute, which went just over the crossbar.

Monterrey defined the duel in the second half. In the 58th minute, Gerardo Arteaga sent a cross to Berterame, who converted to make it 2-0.

Another slip up by Miami’s defense allowed Berterame to lob a pass to Gallardo, who headed it home to secure Monterrey’s place in the semifinals.

Almost at the end of the match, Diego Gómez nodded in a goal for Miami from Messi’s free kick in the 85th minute.

Los Rayados del Monterrey se enfrentarán en las semifinales de la Copa de Campeones al Columbus Crew, campeón de la MLS, que el martes pasado eliminó a los Tigres UANL mexicano.

Monterrey will face reigning MLS champions, Columbus Crew, who eliminated Mexico’s Tigres on Tuesday, in the semifinals of the Champions Cup. EFE

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