emirates7 - Lionel Messi delivered a sensational performance in the final 15 minutes, scoring twice and providing an assist to lead Inter Miami to a 3-1 win over 10-man Orlando City in a Leagues Cup semifinal on Wednesday in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Telasco Segovia added Miami’s other goal, sending the Herons to the final for the second time in three years. They will face the Seattle Sounders on the road Sunday, with the winner earning a spot in the round of 16 of the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup. Seattle had earlier defeated the Los Angeles Galaxy 2-0 in the other semifinal.

Miami, who won the 2023 Leagues Cup by beating Nashville on penalties after a 1-1 draw, fell behind first when Marco Pasalic scored in first-half stoppage time for Orlando, which had beaten Miami twice in league play this season.

The turning point came in the 74th minute when Orlando was reduced to 10 men. Tadeo Allende of Miami earned a penalty after being pulled back by David Brekalo, who received his second yellow and was sent off. Messi converted the penalty in the 77th minute, shooting low to the right past goalkeeper Pedro Gallese.

Messi struck again 11 minutes later from open play, combining with Jordi Alba down the right before finishing into the same corner from close range. He then assisted Segovia in early second-half stoppage time for Miami’s third goal, once again taking advantage of Orlando’s short-handed defense.

Pasalic’s first-half goal had come after a build-up involving Cesar Araujo, Martin Ojeda, and Luis Muriel, with Pasalic ultimately hammering a half-volley past Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari following a clearance that bounced off him.