Messi brace sends Inter Miami to Leagues Cup final

Lionel Messi scored a late brace to help Inter Miami secure a 3-1 victory over Orlando City on Wednesday, sending them into the Leagues Cup final.

Messi, who returned after missing two matches due to a right thigh injury, first converted a penalty in the 77th minute to equalize 1-1. Just 11 minutes later, he teamed up with Jordi Alba to give Miami a 2-1 lead. In injury time, Telasco Segovia sealed the win with a third goal, confirming Miami's place in the final.

Inter Miami will face either Los Angeles Galaxy or Seattle Sounders in Sunday’s final, looking to defend their 2023 title in the cross-border competition featuring Major League Soccer (MLS) and Mexico’s Liga MX.

Orlando City struck first, with Croatia's Marco Pasalic scoring in first-half added time. Luis Muriel’s pass deflected off Maximiliano Falcon and into Pasalic’s path, and he rifled a shot past Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender. Despite Miami's protests over a potential handball, VAR upheld the goal.

Miami came alive in the second half, with Messi and Luis Suarez testing Orlando goalkeeper Pedro Gallese. The momentum shifted when Orlando’s David Brekalo was shown a second yellow card in the 74th minute for a foul on substitute Tadeo Allende. Messi made no mistake from the penalty spot, and shortly after, he secured his second goal, putting Miami on the path to their second Leagues Cup final in two years.

Orlando will now play in the third-place match. The top three finishers qualify for the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup.