Chase Stadium- Lionel Messi scored a second-half brace to break the Orlando City Lions’ hearts in a 3-1 Leagues Cup Semifinals win on Wednesday night. Telasco Segovia stuck the final dagger in stoppage time with a beauty of a goal to seal the trip to the Finals for Miami. Marco Pasalic scored the lone goal for the Lions.
Starting XI
The Herons put out a star-studded lineup to face Orlando City, with Oscar Ustari in goal; Jordi Alba, Maxi Falcon, Gonzalo Lujan, and Ian Fray the back four. Sergio Busquets, Yannick Bright, Rodrigo De Paul, and Baltasar Rodriguez in the midfield for the Herons. Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, the forwards.
Lionel #Messi in the Starting XI tonight with Baltasar Rodríguez getting the nod in this huge #LeaguesCup2025 Semifinals match..The Herons go with their heavy lineup.. Alba returns too..#InterMiamiCF #MLS
pic.twitter.com/tkq1skuaI2— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) August 27, 2025
Match Action
Orlando City took control of the match early, dominating possession and putting Inter Miami on their heels. Orlando’s Martin Ojeda blasted a shot from close range in the 9th minute, which Oscar Ustari blocked with a lightning-quick reaction. Inter Miami slowly warmed into the game and began to play on Orlando’s side of the pitch, creating some chances, but Orlando would get on the board first.
Marco Pasalic received a slick pass from Luis Muriel deep in the box, cut in on Maxi Falcon, and took advantage of a favorable rebound to send a left-footed missile into Miami’s net for the 1-0 lead 1 minute into first-half stoppage time.
The Lions 🦁 score near the end of the first half after Pasalic gets a shot off inside the area & buries it past Ustari for the 1-0 Orlando lead.. The home crowd is silenced… #LeaguesCup2025 #MLS #MLSes
pic.twitter.com/fvJZX0snDR— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) August 29, 2025
Inter Miami would tie the match in the 77th minute after Lionel Messi scored an impeccable penalty kick against Pedro Gallese. Tadeo Allende was awarded the penalty kick after David Brekalo was called for a foul in the box. Brekalo appeared to grab Allende as he attempted to head a ball crossed in by Jordi Alba.
The GOAT 🐐 #Messi ties the match 1-1 with an impeccable penalty kick..#MLS #LeaguesCup2025 #InterMiamiCF
pic.twitter.com/HMFaZR56nm— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) August 28, 2025
The GOAT was only getting the show started, because in the 88th minute, Alba and Messi combined in a sublime sequence of short touches that ended with a Messi low crossing shot past Gallese to give the Herons the 2-1 lead.
Lionel #Messi scores the 2-1 after an amazing combination play with Jordi Alba..#MLS #InterMiamiCF
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) August 28, 2025
Telasco Segovia thrust the dagger through the Lion’s heart when he scored a scintillating goal, chipping the ball delightfully over Pedro Gallese for the final 3-1 scoreline. The Herons advance to the Leagues Cup Finals, where they will face the Seattle Sounders on Sunday night.
TELASCO SEGOVIA GOOOOOOOL! 3-1 #InterMiamiCF #MLS #MLSes
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) August 28, 2025
Postgame
I asked Sergio Busquets about the controversial clash inside the Miami penalty area between him and Ivan Angulo,
For me, there is no penalty..We clashed body versus body
If the referee had decided to call a penalty, then the situation would have turned grim for the Herons. A 2-0 lead for Orlando would have been a tough place to come back from.
Le pregunté a Sergio Busquets sobre la jugada controversial en el área de #InterMiamiCF donde Ángulo cae en un cierre de el.. “Para mi no hay penalti.”#LeaguesCup2025 #MLSes #MLS pic.twitter.com/J6FoomHV5d
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) August 29, 2025
Tadeo Allende came off the bench on Wednesday night after being a starter most of the season. I asked him about how he felt coming off the bench,
This is futbol, and well, it’s a learning experience for me
Allende has been good this season, but lately has had a slip in performance. If being on the bench can motivate him to improve his performance, then Miami should also give some other starters a rest before the playoffs begin.
Tadeo Allende sobre su suplencia en el partido de semifinal de #LeaguesCup2025 en contra de Orlando City.. “Bueno, esto es futbol y es un aprendizaje para mi..” #InterMiamiCF #MLS #MLSes pic.twitter.com/MPvoYCuN8v
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) August 29, 2025
Final Thoughts
Lionel Messi continues to provide memorable, breathtaking moments on the soccer pitch, even at this late stage of his career. He never ceases to amaze, and on Wednesday night, he did it again—a brace in the most important game of the year for Inter Miami CF. There might never be another one like him. Let’s enjoy him while he is at Inter Miami.
Baltasar Rodriguez showed up big in his biggest game for the Herons. Injured for most of the season, the young attacker flashed his immense skill and technique versus one of the best teams in the league. If he can remain healthy long-term, he can be a star for Miami.
Rodrigo De Paul did not have a great match against Orlando, in my opinion. I expect much more from the World Champion midfielder, and in my eyes, he has not delivered an impressive performance with Miami yet. I hope he has a magnificent game in the Leagues Cup Final versus Seattle to help Miami become champions.
Inter Miami CF has an excellent opportunity to win its 2nd Leagues Cup trophy this Sunday night. Messi and the boys appear focused and passionate about bringing it back to the East Coast. We’ll see if Messio and Miami have any magic left.
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