🚨 Late Messi magic leads Miami to semi-final win over Orlando City

The highly-anticipated Leagues Cup semi-finals are underway this evening with all-MLS representation.

Here is what has gone down so far in Miami and Los Angeles.

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Scorers: Messi 77' (P), 89', Segovia 90+3' ; Pašalić 45+1'

Inter Miami scored three late goals, powered by a Lionel Messi brace, to book their ticket to the Leagues Cup final in style.

Orlando City looked keen to replicate their derby thrashing of a few weeks ago in the opening 15 minutes, putting the hosts under plenty of pressure. And that pressure paid off just before the break.

Despite some suggestion he handled the ball after collecting the rebound, Marco Pašalić popped up to lash the opener home for Orlando and stun the home crowd.

– Thursday, 28 August 2025

But you can't keep Inter Miami's stars out for long. The Herons found their way back into the game in the final 15 minutes when David Brekalo pulled Tadeo Allende down from behind in the box, prompting the referee to award Miami a penalty and send the Orlando defender off.

Up stepped, who else, but Lionel Messi to bury the spot-kick and pull the home side level as the game ticked into the final 10 minutes.

And just when it looked as if Orlando might hold on to take the game to penalties, the Herons star duo of Messi and Jordi Alba pulled off a lethal combination in the Orlando box to stun the visitors and book their ticket to the Leagues Cup final in dramatic style.

– Thursday, 28 August 2025

To cap off the superb final 15 minutes for the hosts, an audacious Telasco Segovia chipped finish in stoppage-time put the semi-final to bed, setting Miami up for a matchup with the winner of LA Galaxy vs Seattle Sounders.

📸 Megan Briggs - 2025 Getty Images