FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Lionel Messi is still full of epic and magical moments on the soccer pitch even at this stage of his legendary career.

Messi scored two goals — including a penalty kick in the 84th minute — to help Inter Miami overcome a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2 on aggregate score against Los Angeles FC in the second leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal on Wednesday night at Chase Stadium.

Messi also scored a goal in the 35th minute to help Inter Miami score its first goal in the series — an answer after LAFC’s Aaron Long scored in the 10th minute to double their lead.

However, there were two more highlight moments by Messi that were disallowed during the match after referees held video reviews.

Messi scored on a free kick in the first half, but his goal was disallowed after he started the play before everyone else did. The referee did not blow his whistle, LAFC players argued, before the goal was taken off the board.

Messi also nearly had an assist to Luis Suarez, who headed in a goal in the 67th minute before it was determined Suarez was offsides on his run into the box.

The stage was set for Messi’s penalty kick — the difference to help Inter Miami reach the semifinals of the Champions Cup for the first time in the franchise’s brief history since starting play in 2020.

Messi was the benefactor after LAFC’s Marlon Santos was called for a handball inside the box in the 82nd minute.

Messi shined in the moment — like his first goal with Inter Miami when he scored a game-winning free kick on July 21, 2023.

The score followed Noah Allen’s chip shot into goal that nearly grazed the head of midfielder Federico Redondo in the 61st minute of the match.

Shortly after Messi’s second goal, he was leveled by Santos, starting a little bit of a brawl between both teams before the match concluded. While referees were able to control the chaos, Santos and Messi later shook hands after Messi spent some time on the pitch in distress.

Inter Miami goalie Oscar Ustari made three final crucial saves, while Redondo also blocked an attempt in the final minutes to help Messi’s side prevail.

Inter Miami played without legendary midfielder Sergio Busquets, who served a one-match tournament suspension for two yellow cards incurred during earlier matches.

Inter Miami will face the winner between the Vancouver Whitecaps and Pumas in the quarterfinals of the Champions Cup.

USA TODAY Sports provided updates and highlights from Wednesday night’s match: 

Inter Miami 3, LAFC 1: Messi scores penalty kick

Lionel Messi’s penalty kick goal turned out to be the winner for Inter Miami, which went up 3-2 on aggregate against LAFC.

Luis Suarez scores header on Messi assist, but goal disallowed: Inter Miami 2, LAFC 1 (Score tied 2-2)

Inter Miami nearly had a lead in this game, and this quarterfinal series on aggregate score. But referees ruled offsides after another exciting sequence. Luis Suarez scored a header on an assist from Lionel Messi in the 67th minute, but the goal was disallowed a lengthy VAR from referees.

It’s the second time this match Inter Miami had a goal taken off the board.

Noah Allen scores goal: Inter Miami 2, LAFC 1 (Series tied 2-2 on aggregate score)

Inter Miami midfielder Federico Redondo nearly grazed his head on a chip pass from defender Noah Allen, but Allen is the goal scorer to find the net in the 61st minute to tie this match. LAFC’s Ryan Hollingshead tried to deflect the score, but he only aided Inter Miami’s score.

So, the score is 2-1 in this game for Inter Miami. But this Champions Cup quarterfinal is tied 2-2 on aggregate score.

Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi tee off on goal: Inter Miami 1, LAFC 1 (LAFC 2-1)

Inter Miami’s Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi both teed off with shots toward the net in the 42nd minute before halftime, but both were unable to connect during the busy sequence defended by LAFC goalie Hugo Lloris.

Messi scores goal for Inter Miami: Inter Miami 1, LAFC 1 (LAFC 2-1)

All Lionel Messi needs is to turn a corner, and he’ll find a way to find the net.

Messi scores in the 35th minute to help Inter Miami tie this match at 1, but they still trail 2-1 in aggregate score in the series against LAFC. He was assisted by Jordi Alba on the play.

Still, Inter Miami needs two more goals to advance to the Champions Cup quarterfinals.

Messi scores free kick goal, but referees disallow: LAFC 1, Inter Miami 0 (LAFC 2-0)

Lionel Messi scored a free kick before any LAFC player appeared ready for the play, and the goal nearly counted before a referee took the goal off the board.

Messi’s score won’t count because it did not appear a whistle was blown by the referee to continue play.

On Messi’s second attempt, his kick collided into a wall of LAFC defenders than his own teammate Maxi Falcon.

Timmy Tillman, Denis Bouanga nearly score: LAFC 1, Inter Miami 0 (LAFC 2-0)

LAFC’s Timmy Tillman and Denis Bouanga nearly scored with shots on goal, but Inter Miami goalie Oscar Ustari was able to defend well despite surrendering the early goal.

Messi fires shot toward goal, but misses: LAFC 1, Inter Miami 0 (LAFC 2-0)

Messi fired a shot toward goal in the 18th minute, but it was punched away by LAFC goalie Hugo Lloris.

Aaron Long goal: LAFC 1, Inter Miami 0 (LAFC leads 2-0 on aggregate score)

A crowded sequence in the goal area has Inter Miami down by two in this Champions Cup quarterfinal against LAFC.

LAFC’s Aaron Long was able to score in the 10th minute to take a 1-0 lead in this match, and 2-0 in aggregate score during the series.

Inter Miami’s climb to come back is even steeper, following the score.

Lionel Messi waves to fans during pregame warmups

How to watch Inter Miami vs. LAFC Champions Cup on TV, live stream?

The match will be available in English on FS1, and in Spanish via TUDN and ViX.

What time is Inter Miami vs. LAFC Champions Cup match?

The match begins at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT, 9 p.m. in Argentina).

Is Lionel Messi playing tonight?

Yes, Messi is in Inter Miami’s starting lineup against LAFC. Here are the lineups for both teams:

Inter Miami vs. LAFC betting odds 

Inter Miami has -135 odds to win at home, while a draw is +290 and a LAFC win on the road is +310. Messi is -110 odds to be an anytime goal scorer, according to BETMGM. 

Inter Miami vs. LAFC prediction 

Inter Miami 3, LAFC 1: Lionel Messi works his magic to score two goals and assist Luis Suarez for another to lead Inter Miami, while Denis Bouanga makes things interesting with a goal for LAFC. Inter Miami advances 3-2 on aggregate score in a thriller. — Safid Deen, USA TODAY Sports’ Lionel Messi reporter.

Inter Miami to play without Sergio Busquets 

One of Inter Miami’s core of former Barcelona stars will not play tonight vs. LAFC: Legendary midfielder Sergio Busquets is serving a tournament suspension after picking up his second yellow card in the first leg in Los Angeles last Wednesday. Inter Miami will rely on second-year midfielders Yannick Bright and Federico Redondo to replace their most reliable veteran. 

Inter Miami/LAFC winner could face MLS team in Champions Cup semifinal 

After the Inter Miami-LAFC match, the Vancouver Whitecaps will visit Pumas in Mexico City (10:30 p.m. ET on FS1). That series is tied, following a 1-1 draw in the first leg last week in Canada. 

One semifinal is already set between two LIGA MX clubs: Cruz Azul and Tigres UANL advanced after winning their quarterfinals on Tuesday night. Cruz Azul beat Club America, 2-1, while Tigres ousted the reigning MLS Cup champion LA Galaxy, 3-2.