Messi, Alba turn back time, produce magical goal for Inter Miami against Orlando City in Leagues Cup semi-final

Lionel Messi scored a brace on Wednesday to help Inter Miami beat Orlando City 3-1 at the Chase Stadium and advance to the final of the Leagues Cup. Messi was out of action for the last two weeks, owing to a hamstring injury, but the Argentine returned to the field for his team in the semi-final of the tournament and made his towering presence felt in the most spectacular fashion.

Trailing 0-1 after the first half, Messi equalised for Miami in the 77th minute, albeit on a penalty kick. And then netted in the 88th minute through an outstanding coordination with Jordi Alba to give Miami the lead.

Messi wins it for Miami

A typical Messi run inside the box and telepathic communication with Alba, followed by a brilliant finish. Football fans may have witnessed this sight a number of times but will  never get enough of it.

MESSI MIGHT’VE JUST WON IT. WOWOWOWOW. pic.twitter.com/r3ZUYugpz5

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 28, 2025

The goal crushed Orlando’s hopes, as following this goal by Messi they conceded another one in the added time to ultimately lose 1-3 on the day.

Inter Miami will face the winner of LA Galaxy vs Seattle in the final on Sunday.

Marco Pašalić opened the scoring for Orlando just before halftime, with the play surviving a VAR review for a possible handball.

Messi tied it in the 77th, converting from the penalty spot after Tadeo Allende was pulled down in the box. It was more Messi magic in the 88th when he combined with Jordi Alba to put Miami ahead.

Then, to finish it off in very similar fashion to Messi’s second goal, Telasco Segovia gave the ball to Luis Suarez and got it back to put the finishing touch on the victory.

“We are always excited to win and now we have an opportunity to take home a trophy,” assistant coach Javier Morales said. Head coach Javier Mascherano served his red card suspension during the semifinal.

In an expected intense affair, there were nine yellow cards total and one red card given to Orlando City defender David Brekalo.

“Brekalo’s (first) yellow card was unbelievable. He doesn’t even touch the player (Rodrigo De Paul),” Orlando City coach Óscar Pareja said. “So this affects a team and affects the players to where the game becomes very difficult.”

Miami won the 2022 tournament.

(With inputs from agency)