Lionel Messi once again proved to be the game-changer as Inter Miami booked their place in the Leagues Cup final with a 3-1 comeback win over Orlando City in Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday night.
Lionel Messi : The Argentine star scored twice and assisted another in a decisive late surge, sending the Herons into their second final in three years. Orlando, who had already beaten Miami twice in MLS this season, started strongly and went ahead just before halftime. In stoppage time, Marco Pasalic capitalized on a defensive mistake—after briefly losing possession to Maximiliano Falcon, the ball bounced back off his chest, and he hammered a half-volley past Oscar Ustari to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
Miami pushed forward after the break but couldn’t break through until the 74th minute, when the match turned in their favor. Tadeo Allende’s header forced a save from Pedro Gallese, but referee Walter Lopez ruled that David Brekalo had fouled Allende in the process. Brekalo picked up a second yellow and was sent off, leaving Orlando down to 10 men.
Messi immediately capitalized, converting the penalty in the 77th minute with a low strike to the right. Gallese guessed correctly but couldn’t stop it, bringing Miami level. Fired up, the hosts pressed hard, and in the 88th minute Messi linked up with Jordi Alba in a sharp one-two, before finishing coolly into the bottom corner to complete the turnaround.
The 37-year-old wasn’t finished yet. In stoppage time, he combined with Telasco Segovia, sliding a pass that the Venezuelan slotted home from close range, sealing the 3-1 victory and igniting celebrations at Chase Stadium.
Defending champions Miami will now face the Seattle Sounders—who defeated LA Galaxy 2-0 earlier in the night—in Sunday’s final. The winner will also secure a direct berth in the round of 16 of the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup.