MIAMI, FL. – Inter Miami CF secured a 3-1 win over rivals Orlando City SC in the Leagues Cup 2025 Semifinals to advance to the tournament’s Final, while also securing a 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup berth as one of the finalists. A brace by captain Lionel Messi and another strike from midfielder Telasco Segovia spurred Inter Miami to the thrilling comeback victory at Chase Stadium.
Inter Miami took the pitch with Óscar Ustari in goal; Ian Fray, Maximiliano Falcón, Gonzalo Luján and Jordi Alba formed the back four; Yannick Bright and Sergio Busquets started at the base in midfield, with Rodrigo De Paul, captain Messi and Baltasar Rodríguez, playing further ahead; Luis Suárez led the team in attack.
With his start on the night, midfielder Busquets made history as he became just the fifth player to reach 100 appearances for the Club.
Goalkeeper Ustari came up big with an early key intervention in the ninth minute, showing quick reflexes to deny the shot from Orlando’s Martín Ojeda from inside the box.
Suárez had the closest look for Inter Miami in the 31st minute, with a left-footed curler from the right side of the box that was just wide of the far post.
The Dolphins make me cry, Miami Dolphins and Chris Grier announce mutual separation.
Orlando City took the lead before the half with a goal from Marco Pašalić in the first minute of added time.
The visitors conceded a penalty in the 75th minute, with defender David Brekalo being sent off on the play. Messi subsequently stepped up and converted from the penalty spot to equalize for Inter Miami in the 77th minute.
Messi secured the comeback in the 88th in a moment of brilliance. Our captain collected the ball and combined with Alba with a quick give and go to enter the box, before finding the back of the net with a grounded finish to the far post. The goal was the second for Messi this Leagues Cup 2025, taking his tally to 17 goal contributions for Inter Miami in his last nine appearances across all competitions.
Second-half substitute Segovia rounded out the result in the first minute of added time with a sublime chip over the keeper off of an assist from Suárez. The goal was the third for Segovia in the competition.
The 3-1 scoreline then held through the final whistle for Inter Miami to advance to the Final and have the chance to claim a second Leagues Cup title after claiming winners honors in 2023. Additionally, as one of the finalists, Inter Miami also secured its spot for the 2026 edition of the Concacaf Champions Cup.
Next, Inter Miami will take on either LA Galaxy or Seattle Sounders on the road in the Leagues Cup 2025 Final this Sunday, Aug. 31.
Scoring Summary:
MIA – Lionel Messi (PK) 77’, Lionel Messi (Jordi Alba) 88’, Telasco Segovia (Luis Suárez) 90+1’
ORL – Marco Pašalić 45+1’
Misconduct:
MIA – Ian Fray (Yellow Card) 65’, Luis Suárez (Yellow Card) 80’, Sergio Busquets (Yellow Card) 90+3’, Lionel Messi (Yellow Card) 90+4’
ORL – David Brekalo (Yellow Card) 18’, Eduard Atuesta (Yellow Card) 19’, Rodrigo Schlegel (Yellow Card) 49’, César Araújo (Yellow Card) 69’, David Brekalo (Second Yellow Card, Red Card) 75’
Lineups / Substitutions:
Inter Miami CF – GK Óscar Ustari; D Ian Fray, Maximiliano Falcón, Gonzalo Luján (Telasco Segovia 73’), Jordi Alba; M Yannick Bright (Tomás Avilés 90+5’), Sergio Busquets; Rodrigo De Paul, Lionel Messi ©, Baltasar Rodríguez (Tadeo Allende 65’); F Luis Suárez
Unused Substitutes – GK Rocco Ríos Novo, William Yarbrough; D Noah Allen, Ryan Sailor, Marcelo Weigandt; M Benjamin Cremaschi, Santiago Morales, David Ruiz; F Fafa Picault
Orlando City SC – GK Pedro Gallese; D Alex Freeman, Rodrigo Schlegel, Robin Jansson, David Brekalo; M Marco Pašalić (Adrián Marín 80’), Eduard Atuesta (Joran Gerbet 62’), César Araújo (Tyrese Spicer 90’), Iván Angulo (Duncan McGuire 90+1’); F Luis Muriel (Ramiro Enrique 80’), Martín Ojeda
Unused Substitutes – GK Carlos Mercado, Javier Otero; D Kyle Smith, Zakaria Taifi; M Colin Guske, Nicolás Rodríguez, Dagur Thorhallsson
Stats:
Possession:
MIA – 55.3%
ORL – 44.7%
Shots:
MIA – 14
ORL – 11
Saves:
MIA – 3
ORL – 3
Corners:
MIA – 7
ORL – 3
Fouls:
MIA – 10
ORL – 13
Photos/InterMiamiCF
