Blackmon, Lainez, Messi headline the Best XI of Champions Cup quarterfinals | OneFootball

MIAMI – The 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup concluded its quarterfinals stage following eight exciting matches over the past two weeks.

There were many excellent individual performances, yet these 11 players stood out the most in their respective positions.

Goalkeeper

Óscar Ustari, Inter Miami CF – The Argentine goalkeeper was a key player for the South Florida side as it secured a place in semifinals for the first time, helping Inter Miami win 3-2 on aggregate with a notable 10 saves in the series.

Defenders

Tristan Blackmon, Vancouver Whitecaps FC – Blackmon led the defensive line for the Whitecaps and bagged a dramatic late equalizer in the 90+3’ of the return fixture to help the Canadians advance to semifinals for the first time. He featured the full 180 minutes of the series, contributing five clearances and two interceptions, while also winning two duels.

Noah Allen, Inter Miami CF – The 20-year-old defender played the entirety of both legs against LAFC, contributing defensively with four successful tackles, four clearances and winning seven duels. Allen also played a role offensively, recording a key assist for Inter Miami’s second goal in the 3-1 win in the second leg.

Joaquim, Tigres UANL – The Brazilian defender was a rock at the back as Tigres won 3-2 on aggregate against LA Galaxy to reach the semifinals for the first time since 2023. Joaquim played the full 180 minutes of the series, helping Tigres to an important clean sheet on the road in the first leg and overall contributing with four interceptions and three clearances, and also winning nine duels.

Midfielders

Fernando Gorriarán, Tigres UANL – At the heart of Tigres’ midfield unit, Gorriarán provided six tackles and won an impressive 14 duels in 180 minutes on the pitch.

Mark Delgado, Los Angeles FC – Delgado was stellar in midfield for LAFC against Inter Miami, completing the full 180 minutes, winning 13 duels, and contributing four clearances.

Ignacio Rivero, Cruz Azul – Rivero featured the full 180 minutes against Club América while manning the midfield for Cruz Azul. The midfielder was precise on the ball, finishing with a 90 percent pass completion rate and dishing out the assist for the team’s series-winning goal in the 2-1 win in the second leg. Defensively he made his presence felt too, contributing four tackles and three interceptions.

Sebastian Berhalter, Vancouver Whitecaps FC – The midfielder starred over both legs for the Whitecaps, scoring with a fantastic backheel finish in the second leg and completing nearly 90 percent of his passes in the series against Pumas UNAM.

Diego Lainez, Tigres UANL – Lainez was instrumental for Tigres to secure a 3-2 win over the LA Galaxy in the return leg, dishing out two assists in the game. He also contributed defensively, recording five tackles and winning 11 duels over both legs.

Forwards

Ángel Sepulveda, Cruz Azul – The star of the night for Cruz Azul in the second leg against Club América, scoring both goals as La Máquina won 2-1 to return to the semifinals of the CCC for the first time since the 2022 edition.

Lionel Messi, Inter Miami CF – The Argentine legend was the driving force for Inter Miami in the team’s heroic comeback in the second leg, securing a memorable brace in the 3-1 victory over LAFC.