MIAMI, Florida – Lionel Messi and Inter Miami moved closer to a possible 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup berth as the Argentine superstar scored a pair of goals to lead Inter Miami to a commanding 4-0 win versus Atlanta United on Tuesday night at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Messi’s two goals came within the first 22 minutes, the first one on an assist from former FC Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets, to help Inter Miami secure another three points and clinch first place in South Group 3.

Santos Laguna of Liga MX and the Houston Dynamo of MLS played to an entertaining 2-2 draw in South Group 2 at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, Texas. The Dynamo claimed the extra point thanks to a 5-4 win in the penalty shootout. Harold Preciado of Santos Laguna was the star of the night with two goals.

Liga MX sides Mazatlan FC and FC Juarez played to a 1-1 draw in South Group 1 at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas. The extra spoils belonged to Mazatlan thanks to their 4-2 victory in the penalty shootout. With the result, Mazatlan have won the group and advanced to the Round of 32.

FC Dallas marched to a 3-0 victory over Liga MX side Necaxa in South Group 4 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup Top Scorer Award winner Jesus Ferreira tallied one of the three goals for the hosts, who punched their ticket to the next round.

The action continues on Wednesday with a busy seven-game slate, starting with CF Montreal against DC United at Saputo Stadium in Montreal in East Group 2. CF Montreal are on two points after their penalty shootout win against Pumas in the opener, while 1998 Concacaf Champions Cup winners DC United are making their debut.

East Group 1 will continue at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania with the Philadelphia Union taking on Liga MX side Queretaro. The Union were 3-1 winners over Club Tijuana to start things off in that group. Queretaro last participated in Concacaf competition in the 2015-16 Champions Cup.

Mexico’s Atletico San Luis will square off with the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts in East Group 4 in what will be Atletico San Luis’s first international match. The Revolution earned a point after a 0-0 draw in the opener against the New York Red Bulls.

New York City FC and 2018 Champions Cup runners-up Toronto FC will meet in East Group 3 at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey. NYCFC are seeking their first points after falling 1-0 to Atlas in their opener.

A rematch of the 2010-11 Champions Cup Final is on the docket in West Group 2 at America First Field in Sandy, Utah, as Monterrey face Real Salt Lake, the latter winning their opener 3-0 versus Seattle.

West Group 3 continues with a pair of past Champions Cup champions, as 2000 winners Los Angeles Galaxy welcome in 2023 champions Club Leon at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. Club Leon have two points after their shootout win against the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Capping the night is a West Group 1 contest at Providence Park in Portland, Oregon, as 2020 Champions Cup winners Tigres face the Portland Timbers. Portland came away with a 2-0 win in their opening match against the San Jose Earthquakes.