Vancouver Whitecaps make history as Inter Miami and Messi collapse | OneFootball

Vancouver Whitecaps qualified for the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup final. The qualification was made with authority following another win over Inter Miami CF, this one a 3-1 road victory clinching a 5-1 aggregate record. The Canadian team dominated the star-studded team under Lionel Messi and secured, for the first time in its history, a final spot in the region's top club competition.

Bright start, subdued finish

Inter Miami opened the scoring, nine minutes in, when Messi played a pass to Suárez in midfield, who in turn played a pass to Jordi Alba, who scored with his left foot inside the box. The goal gave the home team an initial uplift, as they had to overturn the first-leg 2-0 defeat. But what looked like a comeback never came.

Inter Miami CF v Vancouver Whitecaps - CONCACAF Champions Cup | Michael Pimentel/ISI Photos/GettyImages

Vancouver replied in kind with attack pressure and conviction. Emmanuel Sabbi hit the post, White had a threatening attempt, Vite was rebuffed by Ustari, and Ocampo nearly found White in the waning minutes of the first period. The tying goal didn't come before intermission only due to Inter's goalkeeper being exceptional and having the defense's support to keep matters in hand.

Whitecaps carve their name

The story was different after halftime. Sebastian Berhalter supplied a low cross from the left in the 51st minute and Brian White completed it accurately inside the box. The goal restored Vancouver's two-goal advantage on aggregate and quieted the atmosphere at Chase Stadium. Just two minutes later, in the 53rd, Vite was threaded through by Berhalter and struck powerfully outside the box. The ball was slipped by Ustari and altered the visitor's fortunes.

The Herons were targeted by this. Instead of retaliating, they were trapped in their own system. Whitecaps kept the predictability and contributed a third goal in the 71st minute. After a move started by Ahmed and Ríos, the ball bounced to Sabbi, who cleared it on his chest for Berhalter to shoot it home first touch, the third goal of the Canadian team.

From almost in 2017 to the milestone in 2025

The qualification is a historical milestone for Whitecaps, who had reached semifinals in 2016/17, when the tournament was still referred to as the Concacaf Champions League. Today, the side has reached its first final, and it has become just the third Canadian club to reach the Champions Cup title match. The victory was achieved after a tough-fought campaign, which included a 2–0 win in the first leg at BC Place and a solid group effort in the return leg.

Inter Miami CF v Vancouver Whitecaps - CONCACAF Champions Cup | Michael Pimentel/ISI Photos/GettyImages

Whitecaps are currently on a nine-match unbeaten run across all competitions with 15 goals accumulated during the process. Since Feb. 23, they have had four wins and four ties, plus Wednesday's dominant victory. The team has finally found its competitive rhythm, having organization and same-old pace even against clubs with more significant payrolls.

White is the name, scoring is the routine

Brian White scored his fifth goal of the Champions Cup and has eleven total on the year. He leads the team in scoring and is on fire with seven goals on his last six games. On this performance, he broke Carl Valentine and currently stands fourth in the club's all-time top scorers, with 66 goals. He is six away from 100 in his entire career, counting club and country.

Final ahead

Whitecaps await now the victor of the tie between Cruz Azul and Tigres UANL, to be decided this Thursday. Whoever it is, the Canadian side enters the final on a hot streak after defeating one of the continent's largest-named clubs. Optimism for the final is high, and optimism in the squad has grown following their dominating displays in both semifinal matches.