Argentina football legend Lionel Messi stole the show after he guided Inter Miami to a comfortable 2-0 victory over hosts Cavalier FC in the Concacaf Championship second-leg round of 16 match at the National Stadium in St Andrew on Thursday.

Inter Miami advanced 4-0 on aggregate after completing a similar victory margin in the first leg in Florida last week.

Luis Suarez, in the 36th minute, and Messi, in the second minute of second-half stoppage time, were the goal scorers for the United States Major League Soccer (MLS) club.

With Messi watching from the bench, Inter Miami dominated possession the first half in front of a 35,000 capacity crowd inside the stadium.

They created several chances with Suarez and Telasco Segovia going close to scoring early in the match against a tenacious Cavalier defensive unit.

Inter Miami were forced to make an early substitution after David Ruiz pulled up injured roughly 15 minutes in.

The visitors were rewarded for their dominance when they won a penalty in the 35th minute after Tadeo Allende was brought down in the 18-yard box by Cavalier’s Christopher Ainsworth.

Suarez, a former Liverpool and Barcelona star, fired home from the penalty spot past Cavalier’s goalkeeper Vino Bartlett to give his team the lead in the 37th minute.

There were loud chants of “Messi!” from fans inside the stadium when the former Barcelona superstar was sent to warm up at the start of the second half.

The spectators, who very anxious to see the diminutive Argentinian grace the field, rose to their feet when he was brought on after about 10 minutes into the second half. Messi, who led Argentina to the 2022 FIFA World Cup crown, entertained with a number of mazy dribbles, incisive passes and deft touches.

The Cavalier players, who appeared pumped up when Messi entered the game, were defensively much more composed and calmer on the ball in the second period. They also played much better offensively as they came close to scoring in the 73rd minute.

Cavalier’s substitute Kalie Auvray, who tormented the Inter Miami defenders with his nifty dribbling and speed down the left flank, thought he had netted the equaliser for the home side. But his shot from close was saved by Inter’s goalkeeper Oscar Ustari.

Cavalier, who are the defending Jamaica Premier League champions, fought gallantly in the second stanza but they were kept at bay to the very end.

Messi delivered the final touch on a magical evening for local football fans with a crafty, close-range finish past Barclett.

Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi (left) controls the ball as Cavalier’s Jalmaro Calvin looks on during the Concacaf Cup second-leg round of 16 match at the National Stadium.

Jerome McLeary of Cavalier (left) shields the ball from Jordi Alba of Inter Miami during the Concacaf Cup second-leg round of 16 match.

Shamar Watson (left) of Cavalier challenges Benjamin Cremaschi (right) of Inter Miami during the Concacaf Cup second-leg round of 16 match. Also pictured is Cavalier’s Dwayne Atkinson.

Shamar Watson (left) of Cavalier and Maximiliano Falcon of Inter Miami vie for the ball during the Concacaf Cup second-leg round of 16 match.

Inter Miami’s Luis Suarez (left) attempts an overhead kick as Cavalier’s Christopher Ainsworth closes in during the Concacaf Cup second-leg round of 16 match.

Inter Miami striker Luis Suarez (right) shoots under pressure from Cavalier defender Richard King during the Concacaf Cup second-leg round of 16 match at the National Stadium on Thursday. (Photos: Garfield Robinson)