CNN Español
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Lionel Messi returned to the court and Inter Miami celebrates. Two goals from the Argentine star and somewhat of Fablasco Segovia gave the 3-1 victory over the Orlando City in Fort Lauderdale, a result that returns the team to the final of the CUP Leagues.
Inter Miami, champion of the Leagues Cup 2023, will play on Sunday the final as a visitor against Seattle Sounders, who beat Los Angeles Galaxy 2-0 in the other semifinal. The winner will not only keep the title, he will also ensure his place in the round of 16 of the Concacaf 2026 Champions Cup.
It will be the first visit of Inter Miami to Seattle from the arrival of Messi and his companions with European past to the MLS.
A fact: It will be Messi’s final 44 in his career. The balance, both in clubs and with the selection, always in favor: Messi wins more finals than he loses.
The semifinal match against Orlando City was marked by the tension from the start: nine yellow cards in total and a red for David Brekalo, defender of the Orlando City, whose expulsion opened the door to the removal of Miami.
Marco Pašalić had advanced visitors to the edge of the break after a play reviewed by the VAR. Orlando, who had already defeated Miami twice in the league this season, went to the costume with advantage. But the story changed in the second half.
Messi, who arrived after four games for injury, matched the score in the 77th minute from the penalty point. Eleven minutes later, he reappeared in combination with Jordi Alba, as in his years in Barcelona, to place the 2-1. Already in the addition, Segovia closed the comeback after associating with Luis Suárez.
“We are always excited to win and now we have the opportunity to take a trophy home,” said the assistant Javier Morales, who directed the bench for the suspension of coach Javier Mascherano.
