Los Angeles FC (LAFC) stunned everyone by defeating Lionel Messi and Inter Miami 1-0 in their CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal first-leg encounter, sending them spiraling to their first loss of the season.

Nathan Ordaz, an El Salvador international born in Los Angeles, gave LAFC a crucial lead going into the return leg in Florida the following week with a goal in the 57th minute.

Messi and Miami continued their undefeated streak in Los Angeles as the number one team in MLS after winning nine consecutive games in competitions since the start of the season. The second half began with Los Angeles picking up their game and immediately causing issues for the visitors on Wednesday after a tight first half where neither side took control. LAFC fullback Ryan Hollingshead made a hash of a golden opportunity in the 54th minute when he burst down the left side in the overlap into the penalty area but shot his effort way off target.

Three minutes later, 21-year-old homegrown striker Ordaz spun away from hard-tackling former Barcelona and Spain international Sergio Busquets and sent a smooth low shot from the edge of the penalty area into the bottom corner past Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari to gift the home team the vital lead. Unable to enter into the game, Argentine sensation Messi made his first start since returning as a substitute last weekend after a two-week layoff due to injury.

In front of a boisterous home crowd of 22,207 at the BMO Stadium, which featured NBA star Stephen Curry, Miami team owner David Beckham, and Argentina national team manager Lionel Scaloni, Los Angeles instead appeared to have the best chance of scoring.

In the 63rd minute, Aaron Long headed a free kick just over the bar, and a crucial goal-line save by Miami's Maxi Falcon denied LAFC's Timothy Tillman. Hugo Lopez made an easy save during one of Miami's rare second-half chances. A yellow card for Busquets added to the frustration, and in stoppage time, Messi missed a free kick, sealing a well-deserved win for LAFC and a disappointing night for Inter Miami.