De Paul, Benjamin Cremaschi, Alba, Federico Redondo and Suarez scored the penalty kicks, while Inter Miami goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo blocked a kick by Tomás Badaloni in the third round of the shootout to help them win without Messi.

Yet half an hour of gametime later, that awkward, potentially disastrous scenario was just a memory, eclipsed by a comfortable 3-1 victory that made the Herons the first MLS side to book their place in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals.