Two trophies were on the line for Lionel Messi in two consecutive matches — and Inter Miami has already secured the first. Miami stormed into the MLS Cup final with a resounding 5–1 victory over New York City FC in the Eastern Conference championship match.
Allende Shines as Messi Leads Miami Toward Another Trophy
Playing at their home ground, Chase Stadium, Miami started cautiously but quickly took control. Although Messi didn’t score, he played a crucial role by providing an assist. Argentine forward Tadeo Allende stole the show with a hat-trick, while Mateo Silvetti and Telasco Segovia contributed one goal each.
“𝑴𝒊𝒂𝒎𝒊 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒅 𝒂 𝒅𝒊𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒍𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍 𝒐𝒇 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒇𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒚 𝒕𝒐𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕,” 𝒔𝒂𝒊𝒅 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒚𝒔𝒕 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒄𝒉.
This performance pushes Javier Mascherano’s side into the MLS Cup final, where they will meet the winner of the Western Conference showdown between San Diego FC and Vancouver Whitecaps.
End of an Era for Busquets and Alba
Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, Messi’s long-time teammates from their Barcelona days, also played key roles in Miami’s growth. But their chapter is nearing its end. Both Spanish veterans announced mid-season that they would retire from professional football, making the MLS Cup final their last match alongside Messi and Luis Suárez.
Miami nearly took the lead early when Alba’s header from a Messi set piece was denied by the New York goalkeeper. But the breakthrough arrived in the 14th minute when Allende calmly finished inside the box. Eight minutes later, Alba delivered another superb cross, allowing Allende to double the lead. New York responded in the 37th minute through Justin Haque’s header from a set piece.
In the second half, Miami looked even sharper. Messi recorded his 405th career assist, setting up Mateo Silvetti in the 67th minute. Segovia added another in the 83rd minute after connecting with an Alba backheel, before Allende completed his hat-trick in the 89th minute, sealing Miami’s emphatic win.
“𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒎 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒆𝒅 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝑴𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊’𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒂𝒍 — 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒔 𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒂𝒌 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒗𝒆𝒔,” 𝒂 𝒄𝒍𝒖𝒃 𝒐𝒇𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒅.
Miami now stands on the brink of writing new history. Since Messi joined in 2023, the club’s rise has been remarkable. They lifted the Leagues Cup in 2023 and claimed the Supporters’ Shield the following season with the highest points tally in MLS history. Reaching the MLS Cup final marks another milestone in David Beckham’s dream project.
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