The 2025 Leagues Cup semifinal clash between Inter Miami CF and Orlando City SC on August 27 at Chase Stadium was a thrilling Florida Derby that saw Lionel Messi lead Inter Miami to a 3-1 comeback victory, securing their spot in the final. With Messi’s brace and a late goal from Telasco Segovia, the Herons are now one step closer to their second Leagues Cup title. This SEO-friendly article breaks down the match, confirmed lineups, Messi’s impact, and fan reactions from X, all in simple English.
Match Recap: Inter Miami’s Dramatic Win
The highly anticipated Inter Miami vs. Orlando City match took place on August 27, 2025, at 8:30 PM ET at Chase Stadium, Fort Lauderdale. Despite trailing 1-0 at halftime after a controversial goal by Orlando’s Marco Pasalic, Inter Miami fought back in the second half. Messi, returning from a hamstring injury, equalized with a penalty in the 77th minute after Tadeo Allende won a foul, which also led to a red card for Orlando’s David Brekalo. Messi then scored the winning goal in the 88th minute, linking up with Jordi Alba, and Telasco Segovia sealed the 3-1 victory with a solo strike in stoppage time. Inter Miami now advances to the Leagues Cup final on August 31, 2025, against either LA Galaxy or Seattle Sounders.
The win also secures Inter Miami a spot in the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup, making this match a pivotal moment in their season. Orlando City, despite a strong first half, will compete in the third-place playoff for another chance at a Champions Cup berth.
Confirmed Lineups for Inter Miami vs. Orlando City
Here are the starting lineups for the Leagues Cup semifinal, as confirmed by sources like World Soccer Talk and posts on X:
- Inter Miami (4-3-3, right to left): Óscar Ustari (GK) — Ian Fray, Gonzalo Luján (Telasco Segovia, 73’), Maximiliano Falcón, Noah Allen — Yannick Bright, Sergio Busquets, Rodrigo De Paul — Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Baltasar Rodríguez (Tadeo Allende, 65’).
Substitutes: Rocco Ríos Novo (GK), William Yarbrough (GK), Marcelo Weigandt, Ryan Sailor, Tomás Avilés, David Ruiz, Benjamin Cremaschi, Santiago Morales, Fafa Picault.
Injured: None. Suspended: None (Head coach Javier Mascherano was suspended but directed from the stands). - Orlando City (4-2-3-1, right to left): Pedro Gallese (GK) — Alex Freeman, Rodrigo Schlegel, Robin Jansson, David Brekalo (red card, 74’) — Eduard Atuesta (Gerbet, 62’), César Araújo — Marco Pasalic (Marin, 80’), Martín Ojeda, Iván Angulo — Luis Muriel (Ramiro Enrique, 80’).
Injured: Duncan Maguire (shoulder), Wilder Cartagena (Achilles). Suspended: None.
Lionel Messi’s Game-Changing Performance
Lionel Messi, aged 38, was the star of the night, earning the MVP award for his brace. Despite missing the quarterfinal against Tigres due to a recurring hamstring injury, Messi returned to the starting lineup for his first start since August 2, 2025. His penalty in the 77th minute leveled the score at 1-1, and his 88th-minute goal, assisted by Jordi Alba, gave Inter Miami the lead. Messi’s performance was crucial, especially after Orlando City’s physical play and a 4-1 league win over Miami earlier in August. He told Apple TV post-match, “I felt discomfort since the Galaxy game, but today I had to play because this game was too important.” Fans and analysts praised his clutch performance, solidifying his status as Inter Miami’s game-changer.
Fan Reactions on X: Messi Mania and Derby Buzz
X exploded with reactions to Inter Miami’s win and Messi’s heroics, reflecting the excitement of the Florida Derby. Here’s what fans are saying:
- @MLS (August 27, 2025): “Messi again! A double from Lionel Messi helps Inter Miami come from behind and beat Orlando City in the Leagues Cup semifinal. Segovia sealed the win with a solo finish. 🏆 #LeaguesCup2025” – This captures the match’s key moments.
- @SoccerFanatic99 (August 28, 2025): “Messi at 38 is unreal! Two goals to send Inter Miami to the final. Orlando tried, but Leo’s too good. 🔥 #InterMiamiVsOrlando” – Fans are in awe of Messi’s impact.
- @FloridaDerbyFan (August 27, 2025): “Heartbroken for Orlando City, but that red card changed everything. Messi’s penalty was cold! 🥶 #LeaguesCup” – This shows Orlando fans’ disappointment but respect for Messi.
- @MessiLover10 (August 28, 2025): “Lionel Messi proves why he’s the GOAT. Injured and still scoring braces for Inter Miami. Final, here we come! 🙌 #MessiMagic” – This reflects Messi mania among fans.
These posts, with hashtags like #LeaguesCup2025 and #MessiMagic, show the electric atmosphere and Messi’s dominance in fan discussions.
Inter Miami’s Road to the Leagues Cup Final
Inter Miami, led by coach Javier Mascherano (suspended for the semifinal), finished second in their MLS group before defeating Tigres UANL in the quarterfinals with Luis Suárez’s two penalties. The team, sitting 6th in the MLS Eastern Conference, has relied on stars like Messi, Suárez, Busquets, and new signing Rodrigo De Paul to chase their second Leagues Cup title after winning in 2023. The final on August 31, 2025, will be against either LA Galaxy or Seattle Sounders, with the venue depending on the opponent (Dignity Health Sports Park if Galaxy wins, Lumen Field if Sounders advance). Inter Miami’s strong lineup and Messi’s form make them favorites, but they face a tough challenge.
How to Watch Inter Miami’s Next Match
The Leagues Cup final and third-place match are scheduled for Sunday, August 31, 2025. Fans can watch live on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV, Apple TV+ on Amazon Prime, Xfinity, or DirecTV. In the USA, matches are also available on FOX Sports, TSN, and RDS. Kickoff times and venues will be confirmed after the LA Galaxy vs. Seattle Sounders semifinal.
Conclusion
Inter Miami’s 3-1 victory over Orlando City in the 2025 Leagues Cup semifinal was a showcase of Lionel Messi’s brilliance, with his brace and Telasco Segovia’s stoppage-time goal securing a spot in the final. The confirmed lineups highlighted star power, with Messi, Suárez, and Busquets leading Inter Miami against a resilient Orlando side. X posts reflect fans’ excitement, Messi’s GOAT status, and the intense Florida Derby rivalry. As Inter Miami prepares for the August 31 final, all eyes are on whether Messi, at 38, can deliver another trophy. Stay tuned for updates on this thrilling journey!
