LAFC defeated Inter Miami 1-0 in a controversial Champions Cup clash where Nathan Ordaz, who escaped a potential red card, scored the winning goal, leaving Messi and Suárez visibly frustrated as Miami’s 36-game scoring streak came to an end.

Lionel Messi stood still, hands on hips, staring into the LA night. Luis Suárez followed close behind, shaking his head, muttering what everyone else was thinking: “It’s always the same.”

For Inter Miami, a team riding high on star power and momentum, their Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal first leg against LAFC had unraveled into a nightmare — and it all centered around one name: Nathan Ordaz.

Before the match even kicked off, this had been billed as a showdown. On one side, Messi and Suárez — football royalty. On the other, a solid LAFC side eager to prove they could stop the unstoppable.

But no one expected a young 21-year-old forward like Ordaz to become the night’s most talked-about figure, not because of brilliance alone, but because of controversy.

In the 27th minute, Ordaz appeared to elbow Inter Miami defender Tomás Avilés in an off-the-ball moment that had Mascherano and Martino jumping off the bench.

Replays showed contact high near the neck and face. A red card seemed inevitable. But after a lengthy VAR review, the referee flashed a yellow. The decision stunned commentators, angered Miami’s bench, and left the stadium buzzing with confusion.

Then came the gut punch. Just 30 minutes later, that same Ordaz picked up the ball from Mark Delgado, took a quick glance at the goal, and smashed a swerving shot from 25 yards out. Miami’s veteran keeper Oscar Ustari couldn’t react fast enough. The ball ripped past him at the near post. 1-0. Silence in the visiting camp. Roars in the home end.

The irony wasn’t lost on anyone. The player who many believed should’ve been sent off had just scored the match-winner. And while LAFC celebrated a resilient, hard-fought victory, Inter Miami’s stars were left fuming.

Messi, who had scored or assisted in every game this season until now, was quieted by a well-drilled LAFC defense led by Aaron Long and supported by the ever-reliable Hugo Lloris. It was the first time since May 2024 that Inter Miami failed to score in a competitive match — a streak of 36 games snapped.

To add salt to the wound, Messi had his chances. A dangerous free kick in the second half forced a sharp save from Lloris. A few silky runs threatened to unlock the LAFC defense.

But he was contained — neutralized in a way that few MLS teams have managed since his arrival. Suárez, too, was isolated and frustrated, spending more time shouting instructions and pleading for calls than posing a real threat in front of goal.

Post-match, Suárez was the first to speak out. On social media, he admitted the loss “hurt,” but he was already looking ahead: “The return leg is ours. We fight at home. Let’s go, Inter Miami.” It was a defiant message from a veteran who’s seen plenty of nights like this and knows that revenge is best served in front of your own fans.

Manager Gerardo “Tata” Martino kept his words sharp but controlled. He refused to dwell entirely on the referee’s decision, though he did make a pointed comment: “There are moments in football where you don’t just lose on the field — you lose somewhere else.” It was all he needed to say.

Inter Miami now face a must-win situation. The second leg is set for April 9 at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. To advance, they need to win by two clear goals. If LAFC scores, the task becomes even harder.

But Inter Miami is not a team to be written off. Not with Messi, Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba all capable of flipping a game on its head in a matter of minutes.

Off the field, the narrative is gaining traction. Fans have taken to social media in droves, calling out what they perceive as inconsistent officiating in MLS and Concacaf play.

Some are even suggesting that a bias exists against Inter Miami’s star-studded lineup — that the referees are reluctant to hand them favorable decisions for fear of appearing influenced by their fame. Whether or not that’s true, the perception alone is dangerous for a league trying to grow its credibility on the international stage.

What’s also clear is that LAFC came in with a plan, executed it with discipline, and earned their advantage fair and square in the eyes of the scoreboard. For a team that has consistently reached playoffs and contended for titles in recent years, this win was a statement. They shut out the biggest name in football and left Miami scrambling.

But the real story is still unfolding. The second leg promises drama, tension, and the kind of atmosphere that MLS dreamed of when Messi first arrived. Inter Miami, bruised and angry, will come out swinging. LAFC will be ready, knowing that keeping Messi silent once was impressive — but doing it twice might be legendary.

What started as just another quarterfinal has become something more. A test of character. A battle of mentality. A fight for control. And with everything on the line, no one’s expecting this to end quietly.