Miami, FL – Inter Miami CF delivered a dominant performance on Saturday night, securing their place in the MLS Cup final with a resounding 5-1 victory over New York City FC. The win, fueled by a hat-trick from Tadeo Allende, sends Inter Miami to their first-ever MLS Cup final, which they will host on December 6th.
The match, played at a packed Chase Stadium, saw Inter Miami take control early. Allende opened the scoring in the 14th minute, latching onto a precise pass from Sergio Busquets and firing a low drive past NYCFC goalkeeper Matt Freese. Just nine minutes later, Allende doubled the lead, heading home a brilliant cross from Jordi Alba.
NYCFC managed to pull one back in the 37th minute when Justin Haak headed in a free-kick from Maxi Moralez, providing a glimmer of hope for the visitors. However, Inter Miami quickly extinguished any chance of a comeback in the second half.
In the 67th minute, Mateo Silvetti extended Inter Miami's lead to 3-1, capitalizing on a play orchestrated by Lionel Messi. This assist marked a historic milestone for Messi, believed to be the 405th of his career for club and country. Telasco Segovia then added a fourth goal in the 83rd minute, finishing off a clever pass from Alba with a calm finish. Allende completed his hat-trick in the 89th minute, putting the final stamp on a comprehensive victory for the home side.
The victory marks a significant achievement for Inter Miami, a team that has seen a meteoric rise since the arrival of Lionel Messi in July 2023. Inter Miami had never made it past the opening postseason round in any of its first five seasons. Messi's impact on the team has been undeniable, both on and off the field. The Argentine legend has not only elevated the team's performance but has also brought global attention to the club and Major League Soccer.
Inter Miami will now face the Western Conference winner, either San Diego FC or Vancouver Whitecaps FC, in the MLS Cup final. The final will be played at Inter Miami's home stadium, giving them a significant advantage as they seek to capture their first MLS Cup title. This will be the first MLS final appearance for Inter Miami.
The game also highlighted the continued brilliance of Messi's former Barcelona teammates, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, who both played crucial roles in the victory. With Messi signing a contract extension through the end of the 2028 season, Inter Miami looks to be a major contender in MLS for years to come.
