Lionel Messi returned from injury in spectacular fashion, scoring twice and setting up another in the final 15 minutes to fire Inter Miami past 10-man Orlando City 3-1 and into the MLS Leagues Cup final.
Back after missing two matches with a thigh problem, Messi coolly converted a penalty in the 77th minute to level the score. He then linked with long-time teammate Jordi Alba for an 88th-minute strike that put Miami in front. Telasco Segovia added a stoppage-time goal to seal the victory.
Inter, who won the tournament in 2023 during Messi’s debut season in MLS, are back in the final — this time against the Seattle Sounders.
“We are at a loss for words when it comes to discussing Leo [Messi],” said assistant coach Javier Morales, who stepped in on the touchline while Javier Mascherano served a suspension. “He trained only two or three days, and then he played 90 minutes, and the way he played created situations, scoring goals.”
Messi admitted he felt nerves after only one appearance since his August 2 injury.
“I prepared to be in this match because I knew how important it was, against a very tough opponent who had beaten us in both games we faced this year,” he said. “The truth is, in the first half I felt a little scared, but in the second I loosened up a bit more.”
Miami now travel to Seattle for Sunday’s final after the Sounders knocked out reigning MLS Cup champions LA Galaxy 2-0 in California. Pedro de la Vega and Osaze Rosario scored for the visitors, who held firm despite going down to 10 men when Nouhou Tolo saw red in the 83rd minute.
Both finalists have already secured spots in the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup, with the winner of the third-place playoff between Orlando and LA Galaxy also guaranteed a ticket.
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