By Favian Renkel
Inter Miami CF faced a difficult test against Leagues Cup favorite Tigres, and the challenge quickly grew tougher. Javier Mascherano was shown a red card and forced to coach from the stands, Lionel Messi remained sidelined with an injury, and Leagues Cup all-time assist leader Jordi Alba had to be substituted after picking up a knock.
Despite the setbacks, Miami’s stars delivered. Luis Suárez opened the scoring in the first half with a penalty, and Ángel Correa added another in the second. With some fortune, Miami were awarded a second penalty, which Suárez converted to complete his brace. Immediately after going ahead 2-1, Tigres nearly equalized with their best chance of the night, but a header struck both posts and stayed out.
On a night when Miami needed everything to go their way, it ultimately did. Many would argue the Herons earned it with a 2.44 xG compared to Tigres’ 1.00, but fans in pink could not help but view the result as the kind of fortune only a former champion carries. Defeating one of the tournament favorites is a result this squad will not soon forget.
Remarkably, even without Messi and with Mascherano dismissed, Miami escaped with what could be considered their luckiest victory of the season. The win not only avenges last year’s defeat to Tigres but also sends Inter Miami to the semifinals, where they will compete for a spot in the CONCACAF Champions Cup—potentially with Messi back on the field.
REACTIONS
- Inter Miami Forward, Luis Suárez:
- “The game was really difficult because they played very well... Every day I just try my best to help the team win.”
- Tigres Head Coach Guido Pizarro:
- “I think it was two plays that were unfortunate... We have to turn the page, I don’t like to talk about the refereeing.”
PLAYERS OF THE MATCH
- Inter Miami:
- Luis Suárez went two-for-two from the penalty spot including the game-winner in the closing minutes
- Tigres UANL:
- Ángel Correa scored in his fourth consecutive Leagues Cup game and exits the tournament as the goal leader with five.
GAME NOTES
- Two penalties were called in this match in favor of Inter Miami and the third total in the tournament. They have yet to take a penalty during the MLS regular season.
- Inter Miami have yet to keep a clean sheet in this Leagues Cup. They have now allowed 10 goals in their last six games, but have managed to win five of those matches.
- Inter Miami is back in the Semifinals for the second time, they won the whole thing in 2023.
- Tigres UANL has now been eliminated in the Round of 16 twice and tonight in the Quarterfinal in their three Leagues Cup participations.
CARDS/INJURY REPORT
- Yellow Cards:
- Inter Miami: Telasco Segovia, Javier Mascherano (Red Card), Rodrigo De Paul
- Tigres UANL: Juan Brunetta, Ivan Lopez
- Injuries:
- Inter Miami: Lionel Messi (Did Not Play), Jordi Alba (was subbed off in 47th minute)
LOOKING AHEAD
- Inter Miami’s semifinal matchup will be against Orlando City, same club they recently lost to 4-1 in league play.
- Tigres UNAL have been eliminated from Leagues Cup 2025 and their next Apertura 2025 game is against Mazatlán on Saturday.
