Inter Miami orchestrated a thrilling comeback victory against Orlando City, securing their spot in the Leagues Cup final with a 3-1 win. The match, played on Wednesday, marked Lionel Messi’s return after a two-game absence due to a thigh injury. Despite initial concerns about his fitness, Messi proved instrumental, netting two late goals to propel his team to victory.
The first half saw Orlando City take the lead in added time, capitalizing on a defensive miscue by Inter Miami. Marco Pasalic’s left-footed shot found the back of the net, silencing the home crowd at DRV PNK Stadium. Although Inter Miami players appealed for a handball, VAR confirmed the goal, leaving the hosts trailing at halftime. Orlando City, having already defeated Inter Miami twice this season, appeared poised to continue their dominance.
The second half, however, witnessed a dramatic shift in momentum. While Orlando City continued to frustrate Inter Miami’s attack, the introduction of substitute Tadeo Allende proved pivotal. In the 74th minute, Allende drew a foul inside the penalty box, resulting in a second yellow card for Orlando City’s David Brekalo and a penalty kick for Inter Miami. Messi stepped up and calmly converted the penalty, leveling the score at 1-1.
With the game hanging in the balance, Messi once again delivered a moment of magic. In the 88th minute, he combined brilliantly with Jordi Alba to score his second goal of the night, giving Inter Miami a 2-1 lead. The late surge was capped off by Telasco Segovia, who added a third goal in injury time, sealing a remarkable comeback victory for the home side.
The win sends Inter Miami to the Leagues Cup final, a rematch of the 2023 edition, which they won in Messi’s inaugural season with the club. They will face the Seattle Sounders, who secured their place in the final with a 2-0 victory over the Los Angeles Galaxy. Both finalists have also secured berths in the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup, further highlighting the significance of their Leagues Cup campaigns. Orlando City and Los Angeles Galaxy will contest the third-place playoff, with the winner also earning a spot in the regional tournament.
The match was not without controversy, however. Orlando City coach Oscar Pareja expressed his displeasure with the second-half officiating, particularly the second yellow card shown to Brekalo. Pareja argued that the challenge did not warrant a booking, suggesting that the referee’s decision unduly influenced the outcome of the match. Inter Miami’s assistant coach, Javier Morales, who was leading the team in Javier Mascherano’s absence due to suspension, defended the referee’s call, stating that Brekalo clearly held Allende, who was in a promising scoring position.
Messi, reflecting on his performance, admitted to feeling apprehensive in the first half after his recent injury layoff. However, he regained his composure in the second half, ultimately delivering a match-winning performance. His two goals underscored his importance to Inter Miami, highlighting his ability to influence games even after limited training. Morales praised Messi’s resilience and impact, emphasizing the significance of his contribution despite having trained for only a few days. The victory sets up a highly anticipated final between Inter Miami and Seattle Sounders, promising another exciting chapter in the Leagues Cup saga.
