Suárez the Hero as Messi Sits Out: Inter Miami Edge Tigres to Reach Leagues Cup Semifinals
Inter Miami advanced to the semifinals of the 2025 Leagues Cup with a dramatic 2–1 victory over Tigres UANL on Wednesday night, despite being without injured captain Lionel Messi and seeing head coach Javier Mascherano sent off.
Messi Absent, Miami Step Up
Messi, who picked up a muscle knock earlier in the tournament against Necaxa, was ruled out after training separately from the squad throughout the week. Assistant coach Javier Morales explained the decision:
“We rely on how Leo feels, and it wasn’t the best. We preferred not to take risks, not to go backward in his recovery, and to play it safe by not having him in the match.”
The Argentine superstar arrived at Chase Stadium in street clothes and watched from the stands as Miami battled on without him.
Suárez at the Double
Luis Suárez delivered the decisive contribution, scoring twice from the penalty spot. His first came in the 23rd minute after a Javier Aquino handball inside the box, giving Miami a 1–0 lead.
Tigres responded in the second half, with Ángel Correa racing through to level in the 67th minute with his fifth goal of the competition. But late drama followed: another Aquino handball in the 85th minute gave Suárez the chance to restore Miami’s lead. The Uruguayan converted coolly for his second goal of the night and his 13th of the year.
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Mascherano Sent Off, Alba Injured
The victory came at a cost. Mascherano was shown a red card for vehemently protesting stoppage time at the end of the first half, leaving Morales to oversee the remainder of the contest. Veteran full-back Jordi Alba also limped off early in the second half after a knee collision, raising further concerns ahead of a congested schedule.
Narrow Escape
Miami held their nerve in the dying moments when Tigres substitute Iván López struck the post twice in quick succession during stoppage time, before goalkeeper Óscar Ustari gathered the rebound to preserve the win.
The result extends Miami’s unbeaten run at home to nine matches (seven wins, two draws) and keeps their hopes alive of claiming a second Leagues Cup title after lifting the inaugural trophy in 2023.
What’s Next?
Inter Miami now face Orlando City in a much-anticipated Florida derby semifinal on August 27. While Messi’s status remains uncertain, Suárez’s form has once again underlined his importance to the Herons’ quest for silverware.
