Key Takeaways:
- Lionel Messi scored twice in the final 15 minutes on Wednesday night as Inter Miami defeated Orlando City 3-1 in the Florida derby
- The Herons secured a place in the 2025 Leagues Cup final, where they will meet Seattle Sounders on August 31
- This victory also earned Inter Miami qualification for the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup
Second-Half Drama Decides Florida Derby
Inter Miami staged a remarkable turnaround on Wednesday night at Chase Stadium, overcoming a halftime deficit to beat Orlando City 3-1 and book their ticket to the 2025 Leagues Cup final. The match saw Lionel Messi mark his return from injury with two crucial goals in the closing stages to overturn Orlando’s lead.
Leo Messi and @InterMiamiCF are headed back to the @LeaguesCup Final. ✨ pic.twitter.com/yCWauAn4Ck
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 28, 2025
Match Analysis
Orlando City appeared to have the upper hand as Marko Pashalic struck in first-half stoppage time to give the visitors a 1-0 advantage at the break. The dynamic of the contest shifted dramatically when David Brekalo was dismissed for a second yellow card, leaving Orlando City to see out the remainder of the match with ten men.
Inter Miami capitalised on their numerical superiority in the final quarter of an hour. Lionel Messi first drew the sides level by converting a penalty in the 77th minute. The Argentine then put the hosts in front in the 88th minute following a slick combination with Jordi Alba. Telasco Segovia sealed the result in added time after linking up well with Luis Suárez, ensuring a memorable evening for the home supporters.
| Team | Score | Scorers | Red Cards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inter Miami | 3 | Messi (77′ pen, 88′), Segovia (90+) | None |
| Orlando City | 1 | Pashalic (45+) | Brekalo (2 yellow cards) |
Looking Ahead to the Final
With this impressive victory, Inter Miami have advanced to the Leagues Cup final, which is set to take place on August 31 against Seattle Sounders. In addition to their pursuit of silverware, the win guarantees Inter Miami participation in the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup, adding further significance to their Florida derby triumph.
