MLS1 hour ago2 minute read

Messi Leads Inter Miami Past Revolution To Secure Champions Cup Spot

Lionel Messi scored and assisted as Inter Miami beat New England 2-1 to seal a place in the 2027 Champions Cup.

The EagleEyeOdds deskWritten from the match data, checked against our model before it goes out

Second half response in Foxborough

Inter Miami CF picked up a 2-1 win against the New England Revolution on Sunday in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The result pushed Miami past the Revolution into second place in the Eastern Conference with one match remaining in the MLS regular season.

The Revolution had the better of the play in the first half. They created six shots, earned five corner kicks, and posted an expected goals total of .75. Despite those chances, neither side scored before halftime.

New England broke through early in the second half. Dániel Gazdag connected with Ilay Feingold inside the penalty box and put the ball in the net to give the host side the lead.

Messi turns the match

Miami responded in the 69th minute. Lionel Messi set up Germán Berterame with a backward header, and Berterame scored to tie the game.

Head coach Cristian Gonzalez then added Luis Suárez to the attack. Suárez had started each of Miami's previous 25 matches.

Messi scored the winning goal himself. He dribbled past defenders outside the box and struck a low, left footed shot past Revolution goalkeeper Matt Turner.

New England nearly brought the game back to a draw. An own goal by Ian Fray appeared to level the match, but the play was ruled offside to keep Miami in front.

Champions Cup spot secured

The win officially qualified Inter Miami for the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup. A loss or a draw would have meant Miami still had work to do on Decision Day on Nov. 7.

Miami joins Nashville SC, the Revolution, and the Vancouver Whitecaps as teams already locked into the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup. The winner of the 2026 MLS Cup will also gain entry into the tournament.

Miami currently has 59 points from 33 games this season. They wrap up their regular season schedule at home against Charlotte FC in a match that will determine playoff seeding.

What it means for the next game

Inter Miami CF vs Charlotte FC (MLS, Sat, 07 Nov): Inter Miami CF win 58%, draw 19%, Charlotte FC win 23%; expected goals 2.60 to 1.66. Our safest pick: Over 2.5 goals.