From a shaky first half to Messi’s late heroics, Inter Miami rally past Orlando 3–1 to book their place in the Leagues Cup Final.
Lionel Messi rose from injury doubts to deliver yet another unforgettable night for Inter Miami, scoring twice — including a dramatic late winner — to lead the Herons past Orlando City 3–1 and into the Leagues Cup Final.
A Shaky First Half for Miami
Orlando struck first just before halftime in controversial fashion, as a handball in the buildup was ignored by officials before the visitors took the lead. Watch Video
Inter Miami were sloppy in possession and second best throughout the first half, unable to create clear chances. With head coach Javier Mascherano seated high in a suite, plugged into an earpiece to communicate with his staff, Miami looked disjointed and vulnerable.
Fray’s Tackle, Messi’s Spark, and a Shift in Energy
The game flipped after the break. Miami came out sharper, more aggressive, and determined to respond. One moment in particular — a crunching tackle by Ian Fray — sent the stadium into a frenzy, reigniting belief in the stands.
Then came the turning point. In the 61st minute, Messi slalomed past seven Orlando defenders in a mesmerizing dribble, a move that electrified the stadium and galvanized his teammates. Substitutions of Tadeo Allende and Segovia added fresh energy, and suddenly Miami were swarming. Watch Video
Messi From the Spot: The Equalizer
The breakthrough came when Allende, often criticized this season, won a crucial penalty after drawing contact inside the box. The responsibility fell to Messi, the ultimate big-game player, and he calmly buried the spot kick to level the score.
He just doesn’t miss.
There was further controversy when Allende was struck in the head by the Orlando goalkeeper in what looked like another penalty shout, but the referee waved play on.
The Magical Winner: Messi & Alba Combine
Orlando, reduced to 10 men, parked the bus and hoped to drag the match to penalties. But Messi had other ideas. In the 89th minute, a dazzling one-two exchange with Jordi Alba freed the Argentine in the box, and he rifled home the go-ahead goal. Watch Video
The stadium exploded as Messi sprinted to his family to celebrate, fists pumping, urging the crowd to sing even louder.
“MESSI, MESSI, MESSI” echoed around the ground — goosebumps everywhere.
Segovia Seals It, Busquets Hits a Milestone
As Orlando chased an equalizer, space opened up, and Segovia put the final nail in the coffin with a brilliant individual effort, sealing a 3–1 win.
It was a night of milestones too — Sergio Busquets marked his 100th Inter Miami appearance with a victory, adding another layer of history to the club’s rise under the spotlight of Messi’s magic.
What’s Next: The Final Awaits
From a sluggish first half to a breathtaking finale, Inter Miami once again proved they thrive in the biggest moments. With Lionel Messi leading the way alongside Suárez, Alba, and Busquets, the Herons now prepare for the Leagues Cup Final in Seattle on Sunday, chasing another historic trophy in the Messi era.
