Chase Stadium, Fort Lauderdale – Inter Miami CF punched their ticket to the Leagues Cup semifinals Tuesday night, edging past Mexican side Tigres UANL 2-1 in a tense quarterfinal battle. The Herons achieved this milestone without their talismanic captain Lionel Messi, who continues recovering from a muscle injury sustained earlier in the competition.
Suárez Shows Championship Mettle
Uruguayan striker Luis Suárez carried Miami’s attacking burden, converting two spot-kicks to secure the crucial victory. His first conversion came in the opening half-hour after Tigres defender Javier Aquino was caught handling the ball in the penalty area, giving Miami the early advantage they desperately needed.
The match’s defining moment arrived in the dying seconds when Suárez once again stepped forward to take a pressure penalty, burying his shot to send the Chase Stadium crowd into raptures and book Miami’s place among the tournament’s elite four.
Tigres Push Miami to the Brink
The Mexican visitors refused to surrender quietly, creating genuine anxiety for home supporters throughout the evening. Their closest moment to salvation came during injury time when substitute Iván López’s powerful header struck both uprights before bouncing away from goal – a moment that would have forced additional playing time.
Miami’s challenges mounted when veteran fullback Jordi Alba exited early following a knee injury, adding another concern to their growing medical list alongside Messi’s continued absence from action.
Perfect Group Stage Sets Foundation
Miami’s semifinal berth builds upon their flawless performance during the tournament’s opening phase. The club swept through their group assignments unbeaten, registering important victories over Atlas FC (2-1) and Pumas UNAM (3-1), while also surviving a penalty shootout thriller against Club Necaxa after a 2-2 regulation draw.
These results positioned Miami favorably for the knockout rounds, ultimately setting up their quarterfinal date with Tigres and star forward Ángel Correa.
Cross-State Rivalry Takes Center Stage
Miami’s semifinal assignment features a heated regional derby against Orlando City SC, set for Wednesday night at 8:30 p.m. Eastern at Chase Stadium. The Lions advanced through their own dramatic penalty shootout victory over Deportivo Toluca, with goalkeeper Pedro Gallese emerging as their unlikely hero by both saving crucial penalties and converting the winner.
This Florida face-off carries added significance considering Orlando’s dominant regular season record against Miami, having outscored their rivals 7-1 across their two 2025 MLS encounters.
MLS Makes Historic Sweep
Miami’s progression completes an unprecedented clean sweep for Major League Soccer in the semifinals. All remaining contenders – Miami, Orlando City, Seattle Sounders, and LA Galaxy – represent the American league, highlighting MLS’s growing influence in North American club competition.
Championship Stakes Continue Rising
Advancing past Orlando would position Miami one victory away from defending their 2023 Leagues Cup championship, captured during Messi’s remarkable inaugural campaign with the franchise. The tournament also carries significant continental implications, as both finalists automatically qualify for the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup, with the third-place finisher claiming the remaining qualification spot.
Messi Watch Intensifies
Club sources suggest cautious optimism regarding Messi‘s potential return for the semifinal showdown. Any involvement from the Argentine superstar, even as a substitute, would dramatically boost Miami’s championship aspirations and provide the spark needed to overcome their Florida rivals.
The Leagues Cup championship match takes place August 31, with the winner earning both tournament glory and guaranteed participation in next year’s premier continental competition.
Game Details:
- Matchup: Inter Miami CF vs Orlando City SC
- Kickoff: Wednesday, August 27, 2025 at 8:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Chase Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Streaming: Apple TV through MLS Season Pass