Messi secures Champions Cup spot as Inter Miami leapfrog Chicago Fire in the East

Inter Miami came from behind to beat the New England Revolution 2-1 in Foxborough, with Lionel Messi providing a goal and an assist to seal a place in the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup. Daniel Gazdag had put New England ahead early in the second half before Messi's intervention turned the game around.

The victory lifted Inter Miami to second place in the Eastern Conference on 59 points, moving ahead of New England, now third on 58. Nashville lead the conference on 74 points. Chicago Fire sit fourth, one point behind Inter Miami, after their own 4-2 away win over Colorado Rapids the previous day.

In that game, Jonathan Bamba scored twice and Robert Lewandowski contributed a goal and an assist. Lewandowski's strike — the decisive 3-2 — ended an eight-game scoreless run for the Polish striker, according to reports. Puso Dithejane also scored for Chicago.

FootVal data shows Lewandowski, 38, has now recorded seven goals and four assists in 18 appearances this season, while Bamba has eight goals across 26 outings. Messi, 39, has reached 25 goals and 12 assists in 29 appearances, with FootVal valuing him at €10.6m against a Transfermarkt figure of €15m.

With one week of the regular season remaining, the battle for second place in the Eastern Conference between Inter Miami and Chicago Fire is set to go to the final round.