Field Level Media
20 Feb 2025, 09:12 GMT+10
(Photo credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images)
Frigid weather didn't keep Lionel Messi from scoring in Inter Miami's first game of 2025, a 1-0 win over Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday at Kansas City, Kan., in the first leg of a CONCACAF Champions Cup opening-round series.
Depending on the source, the game-time temperature was either 7 degrees F or 9 degrees F, with a wind-chill factor below zero. The game was played a day later than originally scheduled due to the weather.
The two-match, total-goals series will conclude Tuesday in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
In the 56th minute, Sergio Busquets lofted a pass from the midfield to Messi, who was running into the penalty area. Messi brought the ball down with his chest, took a touch to slide around a defender, then rolled a right-footed shot into the far corner of the net.
Sounders 3, Antigua 1
Second-half goals from Pedro de la Vega and Albert Rusnak lifted Seattle to a victory at Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala.
de la Vega's 30-yard, right-footed strike found the top right corner in the 61st minute to snap a 1-1 halftime tie. Rusnak clinched the victory in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time, rolling in a goal from 12 yards, capping an impressive team attack that followed an Antigua giveaway at midfield.
Seattle's Paul Arriola opened the scoring in the third minute before Oscar Santis equalized for Antigua in the 24th minute.
The teams will conclude the series in Seattle on Feb. 26.
Real Salt Lake 0, Herediano 0
Rafael Cabral made five saves while leading Real Salt Lake to a scoreless draw against Herediano at San Jose, Costa Rica.
The second leg is scheduled for Feb. 26 in Sandy, Utah. The victor will advance to oppose the reigning MLS Cup champion Los Angeles Galaxy in the round of 16.
Herediano goalie Dany Carvajal was needed for just two saves as his team finished with an 18-7 edge in total shots. The game's three yellow cards were all shown to players on the Costa Rican side.
--Field Level Media
Get a daily dose of Africa Leader news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Africa Leader.
More InformationBISMARCK, North Dakota: More than 95 million people faced extreme cold on February 18 as a polar vortex sent temperatures to record...
TAIPEI/BEIJING: Taiwan's defense ministry said this week that the Taiwan Strait does not belong to China, and any attempts to create...
WARSAW, Poland: European nations will not form a single, unified army despite growing security concerns over Russia, Polish Foreign...
LONDON, U.K.: Republican U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson said this week that Western countries must focus on their national interests...
CHEYENNE, Wyoming: The state reported its first human case of Type A H5N1 influenza, which is spreading through animals and some people...
MUNICH, Germany: Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot warned that Europe must brace...
LONDON, U.K.: A judge has approved an emergency financial plan to prevent Britain's largest water company, Thames Water, from collapsing,...
NEW YORK, New York - Concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump's startling diversions from his country's long-held policies, and the...
DALLAS, Texas: Southwest Airlines is laying off 1,750 employees, or 15 percent of its corporate staff, in the company's first significant...
MELBOURNE, Australia: Australia's central bank has cut its benchmark interest rate for the first time in more than three years, signaling...
BRASILIA, Brazil: Brazil has officially approved joining OPEC+, aligning itself with the world's major oil-exporting nations just months...
NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stocks fell sharply Thursday as profit-takers moved in to take the cream off the substantial gains that have...