Messi Sends Inter Miami to Leagues Cup Final
Messi Leads Inter Miami to Leagues Cup Final with Stunning Comeback Against Orlando
MIAMI – Lionel Messi turned the game on its head as Inter Miami overcame Orlando City’s early lead, scoring twice in just 10 minutes to secure a 3-1 victory and a spot in the Leagues Cup final.
Orlando had taken a 1-0 lead through Croatia’s Marco Pasalic in first-half stoppage time, a goal confirmed by VAR despite Inter players’ protests that the ball had hit his arm. Miami struggled to break through for much of the match, with Messi twice thwarted by a wall of defenders and Luis Suárez forcing a save from Orlando keeper Pedro Gallese.
The tide shifted in the 74th minute when substitute Tadeo Allende was fouled in the box by David Brekalo, who was shown a second yellow card and sent off. Messi stepped up to convert the penalty in the 77th minute, leveling the score at 1-1. Eleven minutes later, he combined with Jordi Alba to give Miami the lead, before Telasco Segovia added a late goal in stoppage time.
“This was a complete team effort, but Messi’s brilliance makes the difference,” Inter coach Javier Mascherano said, watching from the stands after receiving a red card in their quarter-final win over Tigres UANL.
The victory means Inter Miami will face the Seattle Sounders in Sunday’s final. Orlando City will compete in the third-place match against reigning MLS Cup champions Los Angeles Galaxy. The top three teams in the tournament earn spots in the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Inter Miami, last year’s Leagues Cup champions, are back in the final in Messi’s second MLS season. Despite Orlando having beaten Miami twice earlier this season by a combined 7-1 scoreline, Messi’s heroics ensured the visitors celebrated this time.
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