Lionel Messi found the back of the net twice against Los Angeles FC on Wednesday, which secured Inter Miami’s spot in the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals.

Inter Miami entered Wednesday night’s quarterfinal showdown with LAFC down 1-0 on aggregate, and they looked like a team on the brink of elimination when Aaron Long scored a goal in the 9th minute to put Los Angeles up two goals on aggregate. 

Messi responded with a goal of his own in the 35h minute.

Noah Allen put Inter Miami ahead with his 61st-minute goal, but the two sides were still even on aggregate. Messi gave Inter Miami the lead once and for all in the 84th minute, scoring from the penalty spot after LAFC defender Marlon Santos was called for a handball in the box.

Inter Miami will play the winner of Wednesday’s match between the Vancouver Whitecaps and Pumas. 

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