FORT LAUDERDALE, FL —Inter Miami CF booked their spot in the 2025 Leagues Cup semifinals with a nail-biting 2–1 victory over Tigres UANL, despite missing captain Lionel Messi and losing head coach Javier Mascherano to a red card.
Luis Suárez was the hero of the night, converting two penalties to seal the win. The first came early after a handball by Tigres’ Javier Aquino, and the second arrived in the 89th minute after another defensive error inside the box. Tigres had equalized through Ángel Correa in the 67th minute but couldn’t find a second goal despite dominating possession late on.
Drama unfolded off the pitch as well. Mascherano was sent off for protesting stoppage time decisions and continued to communicate with the bench from the VIP stands—an action that could earn him a multi-game suspension.
Jordi Alba also exited at halftime with an injury after a collision with teammate Telasco Segovia, adding to Miami’s growing list of concerns.
Despite the chaos, assistant coach Leandro Stillitano guided the Herons to victory, setting up a Florida showdown in the semifinals against Orlando City.
⚽ Match Highlights:
🟥 Mascherano sent off for dissent
❌ Messi out with muscular injury
🩹 Jordi Alba injured mid-match
🎯 Suárez scores twice from the spot
🧤 Tigres denied by double-post header in stoppage time
Inter Miami’s resilience and Suárez’s clinical finishing proved decisive in a match that had everything—controversy, injury, and late drama.
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