Inter Miami Vs Orlando City Highlights, Leagues Cup Semi-Final: Lionel Messi's Brace Help Herons Seal Final Spot

Good morning, football fans! The first semi-final between Inter Miami and Orlando City is slated to kick off at 6:00 AM IST in Florida. Stay tuned for the pre-match updates and lineups as they are released.

Here are the playing XIs of the semi-final between Miami and City.

The Inter Miami vs Orlando City, Leagues Cup 2025 semi-final match will be live-streamed via MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.

Teams arrive for practice.

Inter Miami and Orlando City have faced each other 17 times, with Orlando City holding the upper hand in the rivalry. The Lions have come out on top in nearly half of those encounters, recording eight wins along with four draws, while Inter Miami has managed just five victories.

The first half is underway, and the excitement is palpable. With the referee’s whistle, the action kicks off as fans anticipate goals, fouls, and cards—while VAR stands by to ensure fairness.

Orlando City started by dominating possession, but it was Inter Miami who carved out the first real chance through De Paul’s diagonal ball into the box, which was cleared. Orlando quickly responded, winning a corner that Muriel swung in, only for Miami’s defense to deal with it, as the visitors kept up the pressure with a series of crosses.

Inter Miami threatened first as Suárez set up De Paul on the edge of the box, but his effort drifted just wide. Orlando hit back instantly through Ojeda, whose powerful strike forced Ustari into a sharp save.

From the boardroom, a suspended Javier Mascherano barked out instructions, visibly frustrated with Inter Miami’s display. On the pitch, fouls on Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez added to the tension, with the Uruguayan left clutching his face after a heavy challenge that earned Miami a free kick.

Inter Miami put together a slick passing move that ended with Rodrigo De Paul unleashing a powerful strike from distance, forcing Gallese into a sharp diving save to his right.

After a frenetic opening, the pace of the game has eased. Orlando City maintains composed passing while Inter Miami drops back, leaving space behind. So far, Messi has been largely kept out of the action.

Angulo drifts inside and fires toward the near post, but Ustari reacts quickly with a low, smart save to his right, keeping Orlando City at bay.

Messi finds space in midfield and glides past several defenders, though his through ball is intercepted by Orlando’s backline. Pasalic follows up with a long-range effort on target, but Ustari handles it comfortably.

Orlando City orchestrates a smooth passing move as Muriel cuts through the middle and sets up Pasalic. Falcon’s attempted clearance rebounds straight back to Pasalic, who lashes it home with his left foot.

Orlando City heads into halftime with a well-earned lead, thanks to Pasalic’s thunderous strike that leaves Inter Miami trailing by a goal with 45 minutes remaining.

The second half kicks off, and Inter Miami earns a free kick just outside the box. Messi takes it, delivering a low cross into the danger area, but it’s comfortably blocked by the Orlando defense.

Orlando City steadies themselves after withstanding a few minutes of heavy pressure from Inter Miami, circulating the ball smoothly. Alba delivers a brilliant low cross into the box, and Suarez lunges at the ball near the goal, but fails to make contact—Inter Miami’s best chance of the half so far.

Inter Miami continues to press for an equalizer, with Alba sending a switch of play to Messi. The Argentine weaves through a cluster of defenders but ultimately loses possession inside the box.

Messi earns a foul just outside the penalty area, setting up a perfect opportunity for one of his trademark free kicks. He steps up, but the shot sails over the crossbar.

PENALTY! Alba delivers a floating cross into the box for Allende, who is brought down by Brekalo. The referee awards a penalty and shows Brekalo his second yellow, sending him off.

Messi steps up and delivers the penalty with calm precision, slotting it to his right. Inter Miami levels the score in a decisive moment of the match.

Messi combines with Suarez at the top of the box, but the pair can’t break through the defense. Alba then finds space inside the area, but his shot rattles off the post.

MESSI STRIKES AGAIN! With delicate touches inside the box, Messi links up with Alba in a quick one-two, finds space, and fires a brilliant shot into the bottom corner. GOAL!!!

Segovia doubles Inter Miami’s lead with a composed finish. Receiving the ball outside the box, he jinks past defenders and bounces it off Suarez before chipping it over the keeper and into the net.

Lionel Messi’s brace powered Inter Miami to a comeback victory over Orlando City in the Leagues Cup semifinal, with Segovia sealing the win with a brilliant solo effort.