{"id":181699,"date":"2025-08-28T06:05:15","date_gmt":"2025-08-28T06:05:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/181699\/"},"modified":"2025-08-28T06:05:15","modified_gmt":"2025-08-28T06:05:15","slug":"lionel-messi-masterclass-sends-inter-miami-to-leagues-cup-final","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/181699\/","title":{"rendered":"Lionel Messi masterclass sends Inter Miami to Leagues Cup final"},"content":{"rendered":"

Messi bagged a second-half brace on his return from injury, and Telasco Segovia<\/a> iced the match in stoppage time to ensure the 2023 Leagues Cup champions will visit Seattle Sounders FC<\/a> for the Aug. 31 final. The result also guaranteed the Herons’ place in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Messi pulled Miami level in the 77th minute from the penalty spot, beating Pedro Gallese<\/a> after the Lions were reduced to 10 men when David Brekalo<\/a> was shown a second yellow card for pulling down Tadeo Allende<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Miami went ahead in the 88th minute when Messi combined with fellow FC Barcelona legend Jordi Alba<\/a> inside the 18-yard box before slotting past Gallese. Adding to the euphoria, Segovia completed a give-and-go with Luis Su\u00e1rez<\/a> (91′) to provide some breathing room.<\/p>\n

Orlando’s opener came in first-half stoppage time, as Marco Pa\u0161ali\u0107<\/a> smashed home from inside the 18-yard box. But the visitors couldn’t hold on, and will now look to secure a CCC spot when visiting LA Galaxy<\/a> in the Third-Place Match on Aug. 31.<\/p>\n

\n Goals<\/p>\n