KING OF KINGSTON - Messi leaves it late as Inter Miami blank Cavalier

A packed National Stadium was treated to a slice of history last night as Argentine legend Lionel Messi scored his first goal on Jamaican soil as Inter Miami got the better of Cavalier 2-0, to secure a 4-0 aggregate win, in their second leg Concacaf Champions Cup round-of-16 tie.

Luis Suarez opened the scoring for the Major League Soccer (MLS) outfit from the penalty spot in the 37th minute before Messi closed the show with a goal in second-half injury time (92nd minute).

Javier Mascherano, head coach of Inter Miami, said the plan was to limit Cavalier's chances as the Jamaican champions had caused them problems on transitions in the first leg.

"In Miami they created too many problems in transition so we tried to do better with that and I think we did," Mascherano said.

"I am happy with the level that we showed tonight. I think we were much better in how we defended and controlled the game."

Cavalier started the game with attacking intent as Dwayne Allen was just inches short of reaching a cross sent into his path in the opening five minutes of the game.

Inter Miami would wrestle control away from the hosts, however, as Telasco Segovia nearly broke the deadlock with a shot from just outside the box.

When Tadeo Allende was brought down inside the Cavalier penalty box, it gifted the perfect opportunity for Suarez to open the scoring just past the half-hour mark.

Inter Miami would remain in the ascendancy for much of the contest but struggled to break down the Cavalier defence.

Messi, who had brought the crowd to their feet when he began his warm-ups in the second half, took to the pitch in the 53rd minute and quickly signalled his intent to score as he fired his first shot of the game just seconds later.

Cavalier second-half substitute Kaile Auvray also seemed filled with attacking intent as he caused problems for Inter Miami's backline with his mazy runs on the wing.

With just seconds left on the clock, Messi would get his goal as he burst through the Cavalier defence to slot home with a neat finish past the onrushing Vino Bartlett in the Cavalier's goal.

The win means Inter Miami advance to the quarterfinals where they will meet Los Angeles FC while Cavalier have been eliminated by an MLS team for the second year in a row.

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com