Lionel Messi recorded two assists, breaking an MLS post-season record, as Inter Miami defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 to claim their first-ever MLS Cup title.
Inter Miami, led by superstar Lionel Messi, secured their inaugural MLS Cup title with a decisive 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday.
The final marked the first MLS Cup appearance for both franchises. Miami took an early lead after Whitecaps defender Édier Ocampo’s 8th-minute own goal, but Vancouver’s Ali Ahmed leveled the score in the 66th minute.
Inter Miami quickly regained control when Messi assisted Rodrigo De Paul for the 2-1 lead in the 71st minute, setting a new MLS post-season assist record.
Messi confirmed the victory with his ninth assist on Tadeo Allende’s 97th-minute goal, sealing the 3-1 result and concluding the Vancouver Whitecaps’ historic run as MLS Cup runners-up.