Lionel Messi scored twice as Inter Miami rallied from a goal down to defeat Orlando City 3-1 in the Leagues Cup semi-final. Inter Miami will face the Seattle Sounders in the final.
Lionel Messi's brilliance was on full display as Inter Miami orchestrated a dramatic comeback to defeat Orlando City 3-1 in their Leagues Cup semi-final clash. The Argentine maestro scored twice, spearheading a late surge that propelled his team into the final. The victory was hard-earned, requiring a resilient performance after falling behind and playing against a determined Orlando side.
The match began with both teams testing each other's defenses. Martin Ojeda and Rodrigo De Paul each had attempts, but neither could convert their chances. Orlando City then squandered a golden opportunity in the 23rd minute when Ivan Angulo found himself clean through on goal, only to send his shot wide of the mark. It was a miss that would prove costly as the game wore on.
As the first half neared its conclusion, Orlando City finally broke the deadlock in stoppage time. A clearance from Maximiliano Falcon ricocheted off Marco Pasalic, who reacted quickly to fire the ball into the roof of the net. The goal gave Orlando City a crucial lead heading into the break, leaving Inter Miami with a mountain to climb in the second half.
Inter Miami struggled to find their rhythm early in the second half, with Orlando City's defense holding firm. However, the game's turning point arrived in the 75th minute when David Brekalo, already on a yellow card, was adjudged to have fouled Tadeo Allende inside the penalty area. The referee didn't hesitate to point to the spot and issue Brekalo a second yellow card, reducing Orlando City to 10 men.
Messi stepped up to take the penalty, calmly slotting the ball into the bottom-right corner to level the score. The goal injected new life into Inter Miami, who began to press forward with renewed purpose.
With the game hanging in the balance, Messi once again proved to be the difference-maker. In the 88th minute, he showcased his exceptional footwork inside a crowded penalty area, exchanged passes with Jordi Alba, and then unleashed a precise finish past Orlando City goalkeeper Pedro Gallese. The goal sent the Inter Miami fans into raptures and gave his team the lead for the first time in the match.
QUE GOLAZOOOOO pic.twitter.com/L2MDmoxSSR
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 28, 2025
As Orlando City desperately searched for an equalizer, Inter Miami sealed the victory in stoppage time. Substitute Telasco Segovia latched onto a through ball from Luis Suarez and slotted it home, putting the result beyond doubt. The goal sparked wild celebrations among the Inter Miami players and fans, who knew they were on the verge of reaching the Leagues Cup final.
Inter Miami will now face the Seattle Sounders in the final, with the match scheduled to take place at Lumen Field. The Sounders secured their place in the final with a 2-0 victory over the LA Galaxy in the other semi-final. Pedro de la Vega opened the scoring for Seattle, followed by a stunning solo effort from Osaze De Rosario. Despite Nouhou Tolo's late red card, the Sounders held on to secure a well-deserved victory.
Looking back at the Leagues Cup history, no team has ever reached multiple finals. This year, both Seattle and Miami will break that record, each appearing in their second final. Inter Miami will be hoping to make history by becoming the first team to win the competition twice. Messi's two goals in the semi-final bring him within one goal of Denis Bouanga's all-time Leagues Cup record of 13 goals. As the final approaches, all eyes will be on Messi as he aims to lead Inter Miami to another trophy and etch his name even further into the record books.