Messi’s brace sends Inter Miami to leagues cup final
Story by Susan Mbamah
Lionel Messi scored two late goals as Inter Miami came from behind to defeat Orlando City 3-1, securing their spot in the Leagues Cup final.
Messi, who missed two consecutive matches with a right thigh injury, converted a penalty in the 77th minute to level the score at 1-1. He then connected with Jordi Alba to put Inter Miami ahead in the 88th minute. Telasco Segovia added a third goal in injury time.
Inter Miami, who won the Leagues Cup in 2023 during Messi’s first season, will now face the Seattle Sounders in Sunday’s final.
READ ALSO: Messi removed from Argentina’s squad for 2026 World Cup
Inter Miami’s assistant coach Javier Morales praised Messi’s performance. “We are at a loss for words when it comes to discussing Leo,” said Morales, who was leading the team while head coach Javier Mascherano served a suspension. “He trained only two or three days and then he played 90 minutes and the way he played, created situations, scoring goals,” Morales added.
Messi, who hadn’t played since his injury on August 2, admitted he was nervous at first. “I prepared to be in this match because I knew how important it was, against a very tough opponent who had beaten us in both games we faced this year,” Messi said. “The truth is in the first half I felt a little scared, but in the second I loosened up a bit more.”
In the other semifinal, the Seattle Sounders beat the reigning MLS Cup champions Los Angeles Galaxy 2-0. Goals from Pedro de la Vega and Osaze Rosario secured the win for the Sounders, who held on with 10 men after Nouhou Tolo was sent off in the 83rd minute.
READ ALSO: Atlanta United’s last-minute goal stuns Messi’s Miami in MLS playoffs
Both Inter Miami and the Seattle Sounders have now secured spots in the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup. The winner of the third-place playoff between Orlando City and the Los Angeles Galaxy will also earn a berth in the regional tournament.
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