A late brace from Lionel Messi secured a dramatic 3-1 comeback victory for Inter Miami over rivals Orlando City, propelling them into the final of the Leagues Cup. The win on Wednesday night was a testament to the team’s resilience, as they overcame a first-half deficit to advance in the cross-border tournament.
After missing two matches due to a thigh injury, Messi made a spectacular return to the starting lineup. He leveled the score at 1-1 with a converted penalty in the 77th minute after a foul on substitute Tadeo Allende. Just 11 minutes later, Messi combined with Jordi Alba to score his second, giving Inter Miami a decisive 2-1 lead. Telasco Segovia sealed the victory with a third goal in injury time.
The result is particularly sweet for Inter Miami, as Orlando City had previously defeated them twice this season by a combined margin of 7-1. The victory returns Inter Miami to the Leagues Cup final, a tournament they won in 2023 during Messi’s debut season in MLS.
Inter Miami will now face either the reigning MLS Cup champions Los Angeles Galaxy or the Seattle Sounders in the final on Sunday. For Orlando City, the focus shifts to the third-place game, with the top three finishers in the tournament earning a berth in the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup.
