📸 Were LAFC lucky to remain at full strength? 😳 | OneFootball

LAFC welcomed Lionel Messi and Inter Miami to BMO Stadium tonight for a headline quarterfinal clash in the Concacaf Champions Cup, and there is already controversy in SoCal.

Across a hotly-contested opening half-hour of play, both MLS sides have dug deep to find a critical first-leg advantage, but Herons fans may already be incensed after seeing a possible red card passed over.

The Black and Gold youngster Nathan Ordaz was seen striking Inter Miami defender Maximiliano Falcón in the face with intent, with match official Oshane Nation ultimately consulting VAR before upgrading his original decision to a yellow card.

Ordaz breathed a sigh of relief after walking off in the wake of receiving his booking, with the 21-year-old El Salvadorian international escaping potential villain status.

Instead, Ordaz would go on to put LAFC in the lead 12 minutes after the restart when he received 30 yards from goal before closing distance to unleash a low drive from outside the box to beat Oscar Ustari low at his near post.

Should Ordaz have received his marching orders? Let us know in the comments below!

📸 Photo Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images