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Lionel Messi returned with two goals and led Inter Miami in a crucial comeback against Orlando City, securing a spot in the final of the 2025 Leagues Cup.
The team led by Javier Mascherano won 3-1 in Fort Lauderdale and will now seek their second consecutive title against the Seattle Sounders.
Messi's performance, supported by Jordi Alba, Luis Suárez, and Telasco Segovia, reaffirmed his decisive impact in high-stakes matches.
A highly tense match in Fort Lauderdale
The semifinal between Inter Miami and Orlando City started with a heated atmosphere from the very first minutes. The clash, which faced the two clubs from the state of Florida once again, had a rough and bumpy beginning, marked by numerous fouls, clashes, and protests.
In total, nine yellow cards and one red card were shown, evidence of the intensity with which each ball was contested.
Orlando City took the lead just before halftime. Croatian winger Marco Pašalić capitalized on a loose ball at the edge of the area and fired a high shot that was impossible for Argentine goalkeeper Óscar Ustari to save.
The play was reviewed by VAR and confirmed. The goal rewarded an Orlando team that had been more effective and had already defeated Inter Miami twice in the league this season.
On the local side, the first opportunities came from combinations between Baltasar Rodríguez, Luis Suárez, and Rodrigo De Paul. However, a lack of precision and the solid performance by goalkeeper Pedro Gallese kept the visitor's advantage intact until halftime.
The return of Messi: key to the comeback
The greatest uncertainty of the meeting revolved around Lionel Messi. The Argentine captain had been absent for four matches due to an injury sustained on August 2 against Necaxa.
His presence in the starting eleven, despite wearing a knee brace on his left leg, was an initial relief for the home team. His performance in the second half cleared any doubts: he was crucial.
The play that changed the course of the match occurred in the 76th minute. David Brekalo, a defender for Orlando City, committed a penalty for pulling down Tadeo Allende and received his second yellow card, leaving his team with ten players.
Messi converted the penalty with a low, cross shot that made it 1-1.
From that moment on, Inter Miami focused on offense. In the 88th minute, a combination between Jordi Alba and Messi recalled the best times of Barcelona.
Alba threaded a pass to the heart of the area, Messi made his run, controlled the ball, and finished with precision to make it 2-1. Three minutes later, Telasco Segovia, after a one-two with Luis Suárez, sealed the 3-1 with an exquisite chip over Gallese.
Messi and Finals: A Constant in His Career
The match against Orlando marked the 44th final in Lionel Messi's professional career. Of the previous 43, he won 31 and lost 12.
His last final was with the Argentine national team in the 2024 Copa América against Colombia, and now he will compete in his second final with Inter Miami.
Messi has scored goals in finals with all the teams he has represented.
In total, he has scored 37 goals in this type of matches, surpassing Pelé by six, who ranks second in that list. He scored 31 with Barcelona, 4 with Argentina, and one in each final he played with PSG and Inter Miami.
What’s coming: Seattle and Concacaf on the horizon
With the victory, Inter Miami secured a spot in the final of the 2025 Leagues Cup, where they will face the Seattle Sounders, who defeated Los Angeles Galaxy 2-0 in the other semifinal.
The match will be in Seattle, marking Messi and his team's first visit to the city since his arrival in MLS.
The match will determine not only the champion of the tournament but also one of the direct qualifiers for the round of 16 in the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup. It will be an opportunity for Inter Miami to establish itself as a regional powerhouse and for Messi to further enhance his legacy.
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