Inter Miami CF head coach Javier Mascherano described the playing conditions as “inhumane” following his team’s narrow 1-0 victory over Sporting Kansas City in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup first round at Children’s Mercy Park, where temperatures were frigid.

“I feel immense pride because it’s nearly impossible to perform in these conditions,” Mascherano remarked during the post-match press conference. “It’s beyond human capability. I’m very proud of the team for their full effort, intensity, and tenacity. We are pleased with the win but need to focus on recovery after such a challenging match.”

Concacaf had postponed the match by a day due to multiple winter storm alerts predicting between five and seven inches of snow across Kansas City, yet both teams faced severe cold on Wednesday night.

When the match began at 7:00 PM CT, temperatures in Kansas City plummeted to five degrees Fahrenheit, feeling like negative five degrees. By halftime, conditions worsened further, dropping to three degrees Fahrenheit, with a wind chill making it feel like negative eight degrees.

In spite of the icy conditions, Lionel Messi found the net for his first official goal of the year, combining beautifully with longtime companion Sergio Busquets before finishing with a right-foot shot.

“That was a phenomenal goal. For those familiar with him, it’s almost routine, as he has achieved this countless times. We’re truly fortunate to have him on our side,” Mascherano expressed.

Wednesday’s match marked the inaugural official win for new head coach Mascherano, who took over the role last November following Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino’s departure. While he led the team through successful preseason games, this Concacaf Champions Cup clash served as his first official match in charge.

Sporting Kansas City now faces the daunting task of needing at least two goals in the second leg of the fixture to progress to the next round within regulation time. SKC head coach Peter Vermes commended his squad for their performance but acknowledged that there is currently one player capable of turning the tide of the game.

“We executed well, particularly defensively. We maintained our organization and didn’t concede too many chances. However, there’s one player [Messi] who can make a difference, and he did just that,” said Vermes.

“It’s not just his impact on us, but on every team that faces him. He has the power to completely alter a match, and such players are rare across generations,” he added.

Inter Miami is set to host Sporting Kansas City at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for the second leg of their series on Tuesday, February 25.