Captain Lionel Messi doubled the score, and midfielder Telasco Segovia scored another to lead Inter Miami to a thrilling 3-1 comeback win over their arch-rivals Orlando City SC at Chase Stadium, booking their spot in the Leagues Cup final.
The victory, which earned Inter Miami a spot in the final, also booked them a berth in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup as one of the tournament's finalists.
Midfielder Sergio Busquets made history during the match, becoming only the fifth player in club history to play 100 games.
In the early stages of the game, goalkeeper Ustari denied Martín Ojeda a goal in the ninth minute when he was quick to block the shot from close range, as reported by Inter Miami.
Luis Suárez got closest to scoring the opening goal for Inter Miami in the 31st minute with a left-footed curling shot from the right corner of the box that just missed the far post.
Orlando City broke the deadlock just before halftime, though, thanks to Marco Pašalić, who scored on the first minute of stoppage time.
The visitors were plagued by more adversity in the 75th minute when defender David Brekalo was given his marching orders and gave away a penalty. Messi coolly dispatched the spot-kick in the 77th minute to draw level.
Messi finished the comeback in the 88th minute with a flash of brilliance. Exchanging passes with Jordi Alba in a fast give-and-go, Messi ran into the box and placed a grounded finish to the far post, his second goal of the Leagues Cup 2025, to make his overall tally of 17 goal contributions in his previous nine appearances across all competitions for Inter Miami.
Late in stoppage time, Segovia, who had entered the field as a substitute, completed the scoring with a precise chip over the keeper, set up by Suárez. It was Segovia's third goal of the competition.
The 3-1 margin remained until the final whistle, sending Inter Miami to the final, where they will have an opportunity to win their second Leagues Cup championship, after their victory in 2023.
Inter Miami will play against Seattle Sounders in the final of the Leagues Cup 2025 on August 31.
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