Lionel Messi returns from injury, scores twice to lift Inter Miami to Leagues Cup final

Lionel Messi delivered when it mattered most, scoring twice in the final minutes to push Inter Miami past Orlando City and into another championship match.

Inter Miami is one win away from adding another trophy to the Lionel Messi era — and they have their captain to thank for it.

Messi scored two late goals — a penalty in the 77th minute and the game-winner in the 88th — to power Inter Miami past Orlando City, 3-1, in the Leagues Cup semifinal at Chase Stadium on Wednesday, August 27.

Telasco Segovia added the exclamation point with a stoppage-time strike in the 91st minute, sealing Miami’s place in Sunday’s final against the Seattle Sounders (Aug. 31).

Messi Returns, Miami Responds

The win was anything but routine. Inter Miami desperately needed Messi back after a nagging hamstring injury sidelined him for much of the past month. His timing couldn’t have been better: Orlando had dominated Miami earlier this season, outscoring them 7-1 across two MLS matches.

Complicating matters, head coach Javier Mascherano was serving a red-card suspension and could only watch from a stadium box. Still, Messi’s presence proved enough to change everything.

“I prepared myself to play in this match because I knew how important the opponent was,” Messi told Apple TV postgame. “In the first half, I had a little bit of fear. But in the second half, I loosened up.”

That shift was obvious. After grimacing during warmups, Messi only grew stronger as the match wore on — ultimately rescuing Miami from the brink.

Orlando Strikes First, But Messi Answers

Orlando City stunned Miami in the 44th minute when Marco Pašalić fired home just before halftime. For a moment, it looked like Miami might be headed for the third-place match.

But Messi refused to let it end that way.

After David Brekalo pulled down Tadeo Allende in the box, Messi calmly buried the equalizer from the spot in the 77th minute. Ten minutes later, he combined beautifully with longtime teammate Jordi Alba on a give-and-go, slipping past defenders to score the decisive goal.

Luis Suárez then set up Segovia’s stoppage-time strike as Chase Stadium erupted in celebration.

“This guy is ridiculous, honestly. It’s such a pleasure to have him on the team,” Inter Miami defender Ian Frey said of Messi. “And it’s not surprising. He’s going to do this all the time. We definitely don’t take it for granted.”

Orlando’s pride Collapse

Orlando City’s frustrations boiled over when Brekalo, already on a yellow, was sent off after elbowing Rodrigo De Paul in the face earlier in the match.

“After the red card, we lost control,” Orlando coach Óscar Pareja admitted after the match.

It was Miami’s first win over their in-state rival this season, flipping the script on previous lopsided defeats (3-0 in May and 4-1 in August).

Messi’s Next Trophy Chase in Leagues Cup Final

For Messi, this is another chance to add silverware in pink and black. Since arriving in MLS in July 2023, the Argentine legend has already delivered Inter Miami’s first-ever title (2023 Leagues Cup) and helped secure the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield with a league-record 74 points.

But the club’s playoff disappointment last season, along with this year’s exits in the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals and FIFA Club World Cup Round of 16, left Miami hungry for more.

Now, with Messi healthy again, Inter Miami sits on the brink of another trophy — and still in contention for both the Supporters’ Shield and the franchise’s first MLS Cup as the 2025 season winds down.

Assistant coach Javier Morales summed it up best:
“He is very important to us, especially his leadership, with the experience he has in tournaments. The truth is, it’s crazy to have him.”

Summary

Final Score: Inter Miami 3, Orlando City 1
Key Moments: Messi scored a penalty (77’) and the winner (88’), before Segovia sealed the result (91’).
What’s Next: Inter Miami faces the Seattle Sounders in the Leagues Cup Final on Sunday, August 31.
Big Picture: With Messi back from injury, Miami is chasing multiple trophies in 2025 — and the legend’s impact continues to redefine the club’s history.

⚽ Don’t miss history in the making. Can Messi lead Inter Miami to another championship this weekend? Stay tuned for the Leagues Cup Final on Sunday.