INTER MIAMI 3-1 ORLANDO CITY: MESSI’S BRACE SECURES LEAGUES CUP FINAL
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By: Sefiu Ajape
Lionel Messi struck twice late on as Inter Miami battled back to defeat Orlando City 3-1 on Wednesday, booking their place in the Leagues Cup final.
Returning from a right thigh injury that kept him out of two consecutive matches, Messi converted a penalty in the 77th minute to make it 1-1, before linking with Jordi Alba to give Miami the lead in the 88th.
Telasco Segovia sealed the victory in stoppage time, sending Miami back to the Leagues Cup final — the cross-border tournament between Major League Soccer and Mexico’s Liga MX. Inter previously won the trophy in 2023, Messi’s debut season in MLS.
“We are at a loss for words when it comes to discussing Leo (Messi),” said assistant coach Javier Morales, who led the team while Javier Mascherano served a suspension in the stands.
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“He trained only two or three days, and then he played 90 minutes, and the way he played created situations and scored goals.”
Messi, who had played only once since sustaining his injury on August 2, admitted he had some nerves.
“I prepared to be in this match because I knew how important it was, against a very tough opponent who had beaten us in both games we faced this year,” he explained. “The truth is in the first half I felt a little scared, but in the second I loosened up a bit more.”
Miami now heads to Seattle for Sunday’s final after the Sounders beat MLS Cup holders Los Angeles Galaxy 2-0 in California.
Pedro de la Vega scored in the seventh minute and Osaze Rosario doubled the lead in the 57th. The Sounders then held firm with 10 men after Nouhou Tolo was sent off in the 83rd minute for a sliding challenge on Gabriel Pec.
Both finalists are guaranteed spots in the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup, while the winner of the third-place match between Orlando and Los Angeles will also qualify.
The night in Fort Lauderdale began with drama as Croatia’s Marco Pasalic stunned the home fans at Chase Stadium by scoring in first-half stoppage time.
Luis Muriel slid the ball into the box, and although Maximiliano Falcon tried to clear it, the ball deflected straight back to Pasalic, who fired home with his left foot. Miami players protested, claiming the ball had struck Pasalic’s arm, but VAR upheld the goal.
Orlando, having beaten Inter twice earlier this season, continued to frustrate them after the break. Luis Suarez tested goalkeeper Pedro Gallese, while Messi had two chances inside the box but was smothered by defenders.
In the 59th minute, Orlando were denied a penalty when referee Walter Lopez waved play on after Sergio Busquets fouled Ivan Angulo — a turning point that swung momentum Miami’s way.
The game shifted decisively in the 74th minute when substitute Tadeo Allende won a penalty. Defender David Brekalo tugged on his shirt, earning a second yellow card and leaving Orlando a man down. Messi converted from the spot, drilling into the bottom right corner past Gallese.
Eleven minutes later, he struck again, sparking wild celebrations.
Orlando coach Oscar Pareja was furious with the officiating, particularly Brekalo’s dismissal, saying it “wasn’t a yellow.” Morales, however, countered, insisting it was “clear that the defender grabbed Tadeo,” adding that the substitute might have scored if not held.
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