It’s pretty surreal watching an all-time classic play out right in front of your eyes. Folks, we are officially in Whitecap Wonderland. On Thursday night, the Vancouver Whitecaps defeated Inter Miami 2-0 in an emphatic CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinal first leg at BC Place.

It was a match that will be etched into Whitecaps’ lore, as Jesper Sørensen’s side took care of business against Lionel Messi and a star-studded side led by fellow Barcelona alumni, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba. Much was made about Messi’s availability pregame due to the Argentine star blanking Vancouver last year. Still, it was the best-case scenario for the record crowd of 53,837 people at BC Place; the Whitecaps got to host Messi while coming away with a phenomenal result.

Finishing the first leg with a two-goal lead and zero goals conceded — the Champions Cup employs the away goal tiebreaker — is massively impressive. The Whitecaps showed tactical flexibility and a clutch factor that can only be tested in these high-stakes games. Unlike most of Vancouver’s matches this season, Miami dominated possession of the ball — ending the night with 69 percent — putting the Caps in a rare counterattacking game. Ultimately, it was a combination of gutsy, astute team defending, Caps’ taking chances when they came, and a frankly underwhelming Miami side that saw Vancouver walk away with a significant advantage heading into the reverse fixture.

Right off kickoff, this dynamic took shape. While Miami dominated the ball in the early game, it was Vancouver who grabbed the first chance three minutes into the game via a beautiful through ball from Pedro Vite to Edier Ocampo, who flashed a dangerous cross from the right wing a few steps too advance of an on-rushing Brian White. Daniel Rios managed another high danger chance just four minutes later off of another Whitecaps counter, but his shot from a White cutback was deflected away by a smart Marcelo Weigandt block. Miami were wasteful in possession — a recurring theme of the night — as the team only managed one clear-cut chance in the half, when an admittedly terrifying Messi venture into the box was cleared by the combined efforts of Tristan Blackmon and Ranko Veselinovic deep in the six-yard box.

23 minutes into the half, Brian White headed home a curling cross from Vite, converting on a nifty one-two play down the right wing between Vite and Sebastian Berhalter to open the scoring. White’s fine goal-scoring form continued as the USMNT striker’s ability to create separation from his markers in the box netted him a fourth Champions Cup goal and tenth on the year. The Whitecaps then killed off the half in solid fashion, with a harmless long shot that plopped straight into Yohei Takaoka’s arms being Miami’s only shot on target in the half. Vancouver was doing a good job of frustrating Miami, as Javier Mascherano’s side starting to play a chippy game, with highlights including some CONMEBOL trash talk between Andreas Cubas and Messi, and Blackmon picking up a yellow for shoving a Miami defender after Ocampo ate a late tackle.

The second half was much of the same, with the Whitecaps comfortably allowing largely ineffective Miami possession. As the half dragged on, the Whitecaps’ passing got steadily sloppier, as the team struggled to transition from their third across the halfway line. However, Miami were far from their best and struggled to create any meaningful chances of their own despite momentum being firmly on their side. Sørensen’s decision to bring on the pacy duo of Emmanuel Sabbi and Jayden Nelson as subs paid dividends in the 84th minute. A quick build-up play through Sabbi, JC Ngando, and a pacy break into the box by Nelson, followed by a low driven cross through attacking and defending bodies, was met at the back post by an onrushing Berhalter, to take the score to 2-0. Although Miami pushed hard for a late goal, the Whitecaps’ backline clamped down in the closing minutes to secure a famous Vancouver victory.

Particularly impressive today was the centreback duo of Blackmon and Veselinovic, who made clutch tackles, interceptions, and clearances throughout the entire night. The steady duo clearly gave much confidence to the rest of the squad and deserve massive praise for their efforts tonight. While less busy defending the wings, Tate Johnson showed massive poise and continues to prove he can keep up at the highest level. Ocampo was a vital outlet on offence — although like many of his teammates was sloppy with the ball at times — and put in a hearty defensive shift, with the most memorable moment being a perfect slide tackle to end any hope for a late Miami goal to end the game.

And then of course, there was the midfield trio of Berhalter, Cubas, and Vite. They were monumental in nullifying Miami offence, while producing flashes of offensive brilliance when it mattered. Berhalter showed endless stamina, while Cubas was effective in Messi-marking duties. Maybe I’m handing out these superlatives a little haphazardly, but it’s a testament to a team that is — I know we’ve been saying this for a while — genuinely legit. While some players had quiet games — looking at Ali Ahmed and Rios — and passing out of the defending half was an issue at times, it’s hard to criticize such a strong team performance against one of MLS’s best sides. For now, I’m riding this Sørensen cloud nine.

In terms of Messi, the mercurial forward became steadily more absent as the night wore on, but his legendary ability was undeniable. His touch is simply in another world, and even at his age is still a player who can turn a game around in seconds. It was cool to see Messi at BC place, and it was even cooler to see Vancouver brick wall him. Especially disappointing was Suarez, who was completely nullified by the Caps’ centreback duo. However, these veterans have a second leg to produce some moments of magic. They have escaped far more treacherous deficits in their illustrious careers.

Looking ahead, the Whitecaps have a tight turnaround to an away fixture against Minnesota United on Sunday. With some MLS points in the bank and the looming second leg, rotation is to be expected. The team will then play Miami again on April 30, where anything can happen. Vancouver faithfuls will have hearts in their mouths for the entire game no doubt, but I am nothing but grateful for being able to taste meaningful games like never before.

But for now, we should bask in the ecstasy of Vancouver winning what is easily emerging as the biggest game in their MLS history — and a huge night for BC soccer.