Messi brace stuns Orlando — Inter Miami 3-1 Orlando City | Leagues Cup semifinal highlights
Fort Lauderdale, Aug. 27, 2025 — Lionel Messi produced a vintage late salvo to spearhead Inter Miami’s comeback, scoring twice as the Herons rallied from a 1-0 deficit to beat Orlando City 3-1 and book a place in the Leagues Cup final.
Inter Miami fell behind just before halftime when Marco Pašalić slammed home inside first-half stoppage time, leaving the hosts trailing at the break. Miami turned the game in the second half after Orlando was reduced to 10 men when David Brekalo received a second yellow for a foul on Tadeo Allende; the decision led to a penalty that Messi calmly converted in the 77th minute to level the score.
Messi wasn’t finished. In the 88th minute the Argentine combined with Jordi Alba inside the box and finished clinically to put Miami ahead, before Telasco Segovia added a stoppage-time insurance goal after a slick give-and-go with Luis Suárez to seal the 3-1 victory. Those late strikes complete a second-half turnaround that propelled Miami into the Aug. 31 final.
Key moments & turning points
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45+1' — Orlando City — Marco Pašalić: A well-timed run and finish put Orlando ahead right before halftime.
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75' — Red card (Orlando): David Brekalo was sent off after a second yellow, changing the game’s momentum and opening space for Miami.
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77' — Messi (pen.): Messi converted from the spot to equalize, his first of the night.
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88' — Messi: A Messi–Alba combination finished by Messi put Miami in front.
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90+1' — Telasco Segovia: A late finish after a quick Uruguayan–Venezuelan interplay sealed the win.
What this means
The win not only sends Inter Miami to their second Leagues Cup final in three years, it also secures the club a spot in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup — an important reward for tournament success. Miami will travel to face the Seattle Sounders in the final after Seattle beat LA Galaxy to set up the title match.
Reactions
Messi — back after a recent hamstring setback — admitted he felt rusty in the first half but found his rhythm in the second, saying he prepared for the match and wanted to be on the pitch for such a big derby. Miami’s coaches praised the team’s resilience; Orlando’s boss lamented the red card’s impact on his side’s ability to hold the lead.
Stats & context
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Final score: Inter Miami 3, Orlando City 1.
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Messi: 2 goals (77' pen., 88') — Man of the Match performance.
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Orlando’s route: Despite dominating earlier meetings this season, Orlando couldn’t withstand Miami after going down to 10 men.
Quick take
Messi’s late brace underlined why he remains the defining figure in this rivalry — his return swung a tight, physical semifinal that had looked favorable to Orlando at halftime. Inter Miami’s blend of marquee talent (Messi, Jordi Alba, Luis Suárez) and tactical adjustments paid off, leaving fans and neutrals with a high-drama final to anticipate in Seattle.
