Messi Propels Inter Miami to Leagues Cup Final

Inter Miami 3-1 Orlando City SC

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL–There’s Lionel Messi, and then there’s everyone else. Messi returned to action with the Herons, scored twice, and led them to a 3-1 victory over in-state rivals Orlando City SC to advance to their second Leagues Cup Final in three years where they will face Seattle Sounders FC (2-0 winners over LA Galaxy) on Sunday at Lumen Field (7pm CT, Apple TV/Univision/TUDN).

Both the Sounders and Herons earn berths to next year’s Concacaf Champions Cup by virtue of their semifinal wins while LA Galaxy and Orland will play for third place and a third spot in the CCC.

Both the Herons and Lions had numerous chance to go ahead in the opening 45 minutes, but it would be the latter who actually would just before halftime. Luis Muriel sent a thru ball to Marcos Pasalic. Falcón got to it, but his attempt to clear went right off Pasalic and the latter would have an easy finish to make it 1-0.

However, things turned for the worst for Orlando starting in the 74th minute, David Brekalo pulled down Tadeo Allende in the box for a penalty kick. It would also be a second yellow for Brekalo reducing the Lions to ten. Messi would cooly convert the spot kick to level the match.

In the 88th minute, Messi would call his own number after a give-and-go with Jordi Alba scoring from close range to make it 2-1. It would be another give-and-go that would put matters to bed early in stoppage time as this time it was Telasco Segovia with Luis Suarez.

The Leagues Cup Final will be at Lumen Field on Sunday at 8pm ET/5pm PT on Apple TV, TUDN, and Univision.

Photos by Edwin Gomez

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