Could another trophy be coming Lionel Messi and Inter Miami’s way? Miami on Wednesday punched its ticket to the 2025 Leagues Cup Final following a 3-1 win over rivals Orlando City, with Messi scoring a brace.However, it was Orlando that opened the scoring just before halftime, as Marco Pasalic thundered home the first goal with his left foot.MARCO PASALIC GIVES ORLANDO THE LEAD@LeaguesCup // @OrlandoCitySC pic.twitter.com/F5Xmu4oFZd— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 28, 2025 Miami couldn’t get on the board until very late on, helped with a David Brekalo red card in the 75th minute.That gave Miami the opportunity to get back in it via a penalty, which Messi calmly put home in the bottom right corner.Messi buries the PK. Orlando are down to 10 men. We’re level in the @LeaguesCup semis. 🍿 pic.twitter.com/635fCqqu31— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 28, 2025 Then Miami took control in the 88th minute.
Of course, it was Messi. And, of course, it was a brilliant tiki-taka combination in the box between Messi and his long-time teammate Jordi Alba. MESSI MIGHT’VE JUST WON IT. WOWOWOWOW. pic.twitter.com/r3ZUYugpz5— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 28, 2025 Miami’s final dagger came in the first minute of second-half stoppage time, as left-sided forward Telasco Segovia and striker Luis Suarez displayed some tiki-taka of their own.GAME OVER.
MIAMI ARE HEADED TO THE LEAGUES CUP FINAL. pic.twitter.com/ALf1ieA4Gd— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 28, 2025 MORE MLS COVERAGEMLSAug 6Thomas Muller joins Vancouver Whitecaps in latest major MLS signingMLSAug 4LAFC to sign Spurs star Son Heung-min for MLS-record transfer feeUSMNTAug 2USMNT goalie Matt Turner returns to MLS’ New England Revolution on loanMiami finished the game with 59% possession and 14 shots (six on target). Four of them were big chances, with Miami missing one.Orlando had 11 shots with four on target and two big chances, missing one. Now Miami will await the winner of LA Galaxy vs. Seattle Sounders, with the tournament final set for Sunday, August 31.Messi and Miami won their first Leagues Cup in the Argentine’s debut season, beating Nashville 1-1 (10-9 penalties).
Messi had scored in the 23rd minute that game.If Messi is fully healthy and can play 90 minutes on Sunday, Miami would likely be the favorites as the Galaxy, the 2024 MLS Cup winners, sit at the bottom of the Western Conference. Seattle is in fourth place and could provide tough competition, but Messi and Suarez are the biggest gamechangers.
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