Whitecaps Shock Messi’s Inter Miami With 2-0 Win
Vancouver Whitecaps stun Lionel Messi and Inter Miami with a 2-0 win at BC Place in the Concacaf semifinal first leg. Berhalter and White score
Whitecaps FC
By Elke Porter | WBN News Global | April 25, 2025
The Vancouver Whitecaps stunned Inter Miami CF and a record crowd at BC Place Thursday night with a commanding 2-0 win in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinal. With global superstar Lionel Messi on the pitch and over 50,000 fans in the stands, the Whitecaps seized the moment in their biggest match to date. The second leg will take place in Miami on Wednesday, April 30.
White and Berhalter Deliver
Vancouver opened the scoring in the 24th minute when Brian White connected with a Pedro Vite cross, heading the ball past Inter Miami keeper Drake Callender. The Whitecaps refused to sit back, applying pressure throughout the game with smart passing and relentless energy.
Sebastian Berhalter sealed the win in the 85th minute, calmly finishing from close range after a flowing buildup — a dagger that put Vancouver one step closer to a historic finals berth.
Berhalter Leads Midfield Battle
Berhalter was everywhere Thursday night — disrupting Messi in the midfield, driving the ball forward, and anchoring Vancouver’s shape. His performance was key in shutting down Miami’s creativity.
“We believed in ourselves,” said Berhalter post-match. “Everyone stepped up tonight. When we play like this, we can beat anyone — even Messi.”
Miami Struggles, Vancouver Soars
Inter Miami struggled to create scoring opportunities and appeared flat despite their star-studded roster, with players, such as like Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba. Head coach Javier Mascherano admitted, 'They were better than us. They deserved to win.
Vancouver Whitecaps carry a commanding 2-0 aggregate lead to Florida for the second leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal against Inter Miami CF, set for Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Chase Stadium. Goals from Brian White and Sebastian Berhalter, coupled with a stout defensive performance that limited Inter Miami to just two shots on target, have given the Whitecaps a valuable cushion.
Despite Inter Miami’s proven ability to overturn a 1-0 deficit in the quarterfinals against LAFC—thanks to Lionel Messi’s brace and assist—the Whitecaps’ two-goal advantage and clean sheet mean Miami must score at least two goals without conceding to force extra time, or three to advance outright, especially given the away-goals rule. Vancouver has eliminated two Liga MX sides (CF Monterrey and Pumas) and Costa Rica’s Saprissa during their Champions Cup campaign.
The potential return of captain Ryan Gauld and defender Sam Adekugbe could further strengthen their squad. Thursday’s sold-out match, played before a record 53,837 fans at BC Place, showcased Vancouver’s ability to neutralize global stars, proving they are ready for the world stage.
Vancouver and Miami will meet again at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale next Wednesday. Tigres and Cruz Azul tied 1-1 in the first leg in Nuevo Leon and will meet again in leg two Thursday night in Mexico City for the other place in the final.
With a spot in the June 1, 2025, Concacaf Champions Cup final—and automatic qualification for the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup and 2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup—on the line, the Vancouver Whitecaps are poised to fight relentlessly to cement their place among North America’s elite.
#Whitecaps FC #Vancouver Soccer #Lionel Messi #Inter Miami CF #Concacaf Champions Cup #MLS Playoffs #Soccer Upset #Sebastian Berhalter #WBN News Global, #Elke Porter
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