Without Lionel Messi, Inter Miami falls 2-1 to Monterrey in first leg of Champions Cup

Lionel Messi could only slouch as he watched from the bench in street clothes as Inter Miami’s 1-0 lead evaporated in thin air in the final 25 minutes of Wednesday’s highly anticipated match in the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals.

Monterrey’s Maximiliano Meza scored in the 69^th minute shortly after Inter Miami’s David Ruiz was ejected, and Jorge Rodríguez scored in the 89^th minute to steal a 2-1 victory over Inter Miami at Chase Stadium.

Rodriguez’s goal came following a lazy clearance by Diego Gomez, as Inter Miami’s reliance on youngsters to fill the gaps behind Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba showed in one of the biggest matches in franchise history.

Messi did not play due to his lingering right hamstring injury, and will continue to be evaluated on a game-to-game basis, Inter Miami coach Tata Martino said.

“He was not fit enough for this match,” Martino said. “We didn’t want to risk him.”

Inter Miami’s Tomás Avilés scored with a right boot from a corner kick by Julian Gressel in the 18^th minute, and coasted much of the second half trying to defend Monterrey to keep the score close instead of attacking for a second goal on the offensive end.

Inter Miami nearly didn’t miss Messi, the Argentine World Cup champion, until Ruiz’s ejection after two yellow cards — the last being an elbow and swipe of Meza’s head in the second half. Inter Miami was forced to play with just 10 men on the pitch, and their 1-0 lead in the first 68 minutes disappeared.

“We didn’t suffer as much as I thought, but when we had to play the last 20 minutes without one player, we suffered much more,” Martino said.

Their chances to advance past Monterrey in the second leg in Mexico next Wednesday hinges on Messi’s potential return. Or the club’s second chance to compete for a championship in its short, five-year history — after Messi led Inter Miami to the Leagues Cup title last summer — will be over in a week.

Entering the game with Monterrey coach Fernando Ortiz confidently boasted “we have better players than Inter Miami.”

He was wrong for much of the match until Inter Miami unraveled with one fewer player on the pitch. 

Messi might be close to a return from a right hamstring injury, but Wednesday’s match was still too soon. He was not listed as a starter or bench player on Inter Miami's lineup.

It's unclear when Messi, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and Argentine World Cup champion, will return to action. Inter Miami hosts the Colorado Rapids on Saturday, and travel to Mexico for the second leg against Monterrey on Wednesday, April 10.

Messi has played in five games with five goals and two assists, but has also missed five games across all competitions this season.

Jorge Rodríguez goal: Monterrey 2, Inter Miami 1

Inter Miami fell asleep at the wheel, and awaited word from a VAR sequence. But Diego Gomez’s lazy pass was intercepted. And Monterrey made Inter Miami pay.

Jorge Rodríguez scored in the 89^th minute, and Monterrey takes a 2-1 lead.

Inter Miami was so close to a draw in the first leg. If the score holds, they’ll face an uphill climb at Monterrey next week.

Maximiliano Meza scores goal: Inter Miami 1, Monterrey 1

Inter Miami goalie Drake Callender made the first stop, but could not make the second.

Monterrey’s Maximiliano Meza scored on a rebound after Callender deflected a header, and this match is tied at 1. The ball finding the net right under Callender’s body.

Messi could be seen slouching in his seat by the Inter Miami sidelines after the score.

The goal was confirmed after VAR with Monterrey’s Víctor Guzmán in doubt as a potential interference in front of Callendar.

David Ruiz gets ejected: Inter Miami 1, Monterrey 0

Inter Miami’s David Ruiz was seen delivering a elbow to Monterrey’s Maximiliano Meza and given his second yellow card, and an ejection.

Inter Miami will finish this match – starting in the 66^th minute – with only 10 men. And without Messi.

Inter Miami is also inserting defender Robert Sailor, and taking out rookie Leo Alfonso, who replaced Robert Taylor earlier in the match.

Monterrey misses, Ruiz gets yellow card: Inter Miami 1, Monterrey 0

Monterrey’s Maximiliano Meza missed a left footed shot from outside the box in the 57^th minute, the shot rolling to the outside of the right side of the net.

Inter Miami’s David Ruiz just picked up a yellow card in the 60^th minute.

Luis Suarez misses free kick: Inter Miami 1, Monterrey 0

Luis Suarez squeezed a shot underneath some Monterrey defenders, but his was deflected to the outside of the net.

Suarez was fouled as he collided into a Monterrey player and successfully pleaded with the referees after they granted the foul.

Inter Miami denied close to net: Inter Miami 1, Monterrey 0

Diego Gomez delivered a beauty to David Ruiz, who was tripped in front of the net and unable to take a shot on goal in the 51^st minute.

Nico Friere stops Brandon Vasquez kick: Inter Miami 1, Monterrey 0

It’s a good thing Nico Friere’s hamstring is okay. He stopped Monterrey’s Brandon Vazquez with a good defense on a shot attempt in the 50^th minute.

Leo Alfonso misses shot: Inter Miami 1, Monterrey 0

Rookie Leo Alfonso missed a shot on goal shortly before halftime, and received a scolding from veteran Luis Suarez.

It was a give and go opportunity sparked by Jordi Alba to Suarez with Alfonso taking the shot instead of giving it back to Suarez.

Alfonso’s shot didn’t have enough power behind it. It’s unclear what kind of shot Suarez would’ve had, but with seven goals scored in nine games, you can see why he wanted the chance.

Luis Suarez misses shot before halftime: Inter Miami 1, Monterrey 0

Jordi Alba delivered a perfectly placed pass to Luis Suarez, but the Uruguayan striker was unable to hold off his defender and put enough power into his shot toward the net in the 45^th minute.

Sergio Canales misses free kick: Inter Miami 1, Monterrey 0

Monterrey standout Sergio Canales booted a free kick right into the hands of Inter Miami goalie Drake Callender in the 43rth minute.

Robert Taylor injury: Inter Miami 1, Monterrey 0

Inter Miami will lose Robert Taylor to a left leg injury in the 35th minute. Taylor is limping off the field on his own power, but will be substituted out for rookie Leo Alfonso coming into the match.

Alfonso made contact with Monterrey’s goalie Esteban Andrada on his first sequence of the game, but was not penalized.

Diego Gomez and Maximiliano Meza collide: Inter Miami 1, Monterrey 0

Inter Miami’s Diego Gomez and Monterrey’s Maximiliano Meza collided shortly after the game passed the 30^th minute, and both took some time recouping on the pitch before play resumed.

Meza was favoring his lower left leg area, while Gomez was favoring his groin area. To make matters worse, Gomez was given a yellow card.

The collision will surely add some extra time to the first half.

Tomás Avilés goal: Inter Miami 1, Monterrey 0

Lionel Messi is standing by the Inter Miami bench, and coach Tata Martino led a round of hugs among the Inter Miami bench.

Argentine youngster Tomás Avilés scored with a right boot from a corner kick via Julian Gressel to help Inter Miami take a 1-0 lead without Messi against Monterrey in the 18^th minute.

It’s the type of start Inter Miami could use with Messi sidelined to ease the pressure in their Champions Cup quarterfinal matchup.

Gressel missed a chip shot, leading to corner kick, after a nice pass from Suarez, leading to the goal-scoring sequence.

Jordi Alba’s shot soars over net: Inter Miami 0, Monterrey 0

Moments after Luis Suarez tried to nutmeg a Monterrey opponent, Jordi Alba’s shot toward the goal soared over the net in the 15^th minute.

Consider it Inter Miami’s first real chance at a shot in the match.

Sergio Canales misses shot: Inter Miami 0, Monterrey 0

Monterrey’s Sergio Canales attempted to send a left boot toward the net, but it’s unclear whether Canales was making a pass inside the goal area or targeting the net.

Still, Monterrey has had two opportunities with a chance to the net.

Opening minutes: Inter Miami 0, Monterrey 0

Former Cincinnati standout Brandon Vazquez got a shot off in the fourth minute, but it was blocked by Inter Miami goalie Drake Callender.

Inter Miami has defended and orchestrated its offense with poise in the opening minutes without Lionel Messi on the pitch.

Inter Miami lineup: Lionel Messi won't play tonight

Lionel Messi will miss another game as he deals with a hamstring issue that has sidelined him for three weeks. Messi was a game-time decision heading into Wednesday night's game.

Messi hasn't played since Inter Miami's Concacaf Champions Cup second leg win over Nashville SC on March 13.

Messi's former FC Barcelona teammates — Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba — will start against Monterrey.

Here's Monterrey's lineup for tonight's match vs. Inter Miami:

What we know about Messi's injury

Messi was a game-day decision. Inter Miami coach Tata Martino has kept Monterrey and soccer fans around the world on their toes with his Messi injury updates.

Messi has not played since March 13 due to a right hamstring injury, missing three Inter Miami games in the MLS regular season and two friendlies with Argentina in the last month.

How to watch Inter Miami vs. Monterrey live stream?

Inter Miami and Monterrey will air on FS1 in English, and TUDN in Spanish.

WATCH:Messi and Inter Miami host Monterrey on Fubo (free trial available)

TICKETS:Experience Messi and Inter Miami in person against Monterrey in the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal

SHOP:Get the latest Messi and Inter Miami gear from the MLS Store

Inter Miami vs. Monterrey betting odds

The oddmakers at BetMGM have slightly tilted the odds in Inter Miami’s favor.

Here are the odds before kickoff and an announcement whether Messi will play: Inter Miami +110; Monterrey +200; Tie +270.

Here were the odds shortly before midnight Wednesday: Inter Miami +100; CF Monterrey +225; Tie +270.

Inter Miami vs. Monterrey predictions

∎Inter Miami 2, Monterrey 2: Messi’s availability and Inter Miami’s back line are concerning, but Luis Suarez, David Ruiz, Diego Gomez and Julian Gressel must push the envelope offensively. If Messi can add a goal and/or assist to apply pressure before a Monterrey score, Inter Miami might be in better shape than this predicted draw. – Safid Deen, USA TODAY

∎Inter Miami 2, Monterrey 1: The Mexican giants should keep things contained in the first 45 minutes, but Diego Gómez will find a way onto the scoresheet to break things open early in the second half. Brandon Vazquez will get Monterrey level, but Miami should claim a narrow, dramatic win thanks to who else but Lionel Messi. – Jason Anderson, Pro Soccer Wire

How have Inter Miami and Monterrey fared against similar opponents?

A+B doesn’t always equal C when it comes to comparing outcomes in soccer matches, and the teams listed below have all experienced some roster change or injury since. But here are some results between similar opponents to show how Inter Miami and Monterrey might matchup.

∎ Nashville SC: Inter Miami and beat Nashville 5-3 in the Champions Cup round of 16 early last month, and 1-1 (10-9 in penalty kicks) during the Leagues Cup final last August. Monterrey lost at Nashville 2-0 in the Leagues Cup semifinals.

∎ FC Cincinnati: Monterrey beat Cincinnati 3-1 in their round-of-16 matchup last month. Inter Miami won at Cincinnati 3-3 (5-4 in penalty kicks) last August to advance to the U.S. Open Cup final. Inter Miami also lost 1-0 to Cincinnati when Messi entered in the 55th minute in his return from a groin injury last October.

∎ LAFC: Monterrey won vs, LAFC, 3-2, in the quarterfinals of the Leagues Cup last summer, while Inter Miami also beat LAFC 3-1 last season after the Leagues Cup.

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