MIAMI — Lionel Messi returned to the field Wednesday night, but his comeback was overshadowed by another heartbreaking ending for Inter Miami CF.

Messi came off the bench in the second half after returning from his father’s funeral in Argentina, but Club León scored a late winner to defeat the Herons 3-2 and officially eliminate Miami from the Leagues Cup.

Miami entered the match with a slim path to the next round. Although the Herons were not mathematically eliminated before kickoff, they needed several results elsewhere to go their way. Only the top four teams from each side of the tournament advance to the knockout stage.

The Herons typically open matches with an aggressive, high-tempo attack, but Wednesday’s opening was more measured. Miami patiently moved the ball around the field while León dropped back and focused on limiting the Herons’ chances.

Miami’s first major opportunity came in the 10th minute after earning a dangerous free kick just outside the box. Stand-in captain Rodrigo De Paul sent the ball into the penalty area, but León cleared the danger and conceded the first corner of the match.

The corner produced nothing, and Miami went back to work.

Ian Fray nearly opened the scoring later in the half when he chipped the ball over a León defender before firing a shot just wide of the left post.

León’s defensive approach continued to frustrate Miami. Despite controlling possession, the Herons struggled to create clear chances and had only one shot on target for much of the opening half.

Miami eventually began to find its rhythm, increasing the pressure and forcing several saves from the León goalkeeper.

León, meanwhile, appeared content to sit back and absorb the pressure, waiting for opportunities to attack on the counter.

Miami finally found its breakthrough just before halftime.

Fray delivered a beautiful cross into the center of the box, where Daniel Pinter calmly finished with his left foot to put the Herons ahead 1-0.

Miami carried the lead into halftime.

Then came the moment the crowd had been waiting for.

Messi entered to begin the second half, and the stadium erupted into chants of “Messi, Messi, Messi” as the Miami supporters welcomed their star back onto the field.

But the celebration did not last long.

León quickly punished Miami on the counterattack, finding the equalizer to make it 1-1 and putting another dent in the Herons’ already slim hopes of advancing.

Miami responded immediately.

The Herons won a corner shortly after conceding, and the ensuing pressure resulted in another goal. Yannick Bright reacted first to a rebound and volleyed the ball into the back of the net after the León goalkeeper made the initial save.

Miami was back in front, 2-1.

Rocco Ríos Novo then came up with a massive save to keep the Herons ahead, denying León a potential equalizer.

But León continued to push.

The visitors eventually found the breakthrough they were looking for, leveling the match at 2-2 and setting up a frantic final stretch.

With Messi now on the field, the match had completely changed. The controlled opening had turned into the high-tempo, end-to-end game Miami is accustomed to playing.

León was comfortable with a draw. One point would be enough for the visitors to advance.

Miami had no such option.

The Herons needed a win and pushed forward in search of a late winner. Chance after chance was blocked or cleared, while León continued to threaten whenever it won possession and broke forward.

Then came the decisive moment.

León scored a late goal that was initially ruled offside. After a quick VAR review, however, the decision was overturned and the goal was awarded.

Miami suddenly found itself trailing 3-2 after leading 2-1.

The Herons desperately searched for one final opportunity, but time was running out.

Sergio Reguilón had a chance to equalize, but his attempt lacked the power to trouble the León goalkeeper, who made the save comfortably.

The final whistle confirmed León’s 3-2 victory and officially ended Miami’s Leagues Cup campaign.

For Miami, it was another night of late heartbreak. After finishing as the Leagues Cup runner-up last year, the Herons will not make the knockout stage this time around.

The Herons now turn their attention back to Major League Soccer, with their next match coming Saturday against first-place Nashville SC in Nashville.

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