FORT LAUDERDALE, USA – Inter Miami won the MLS Cup this Saturday, after defeating the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in a final that will be etched in the memory of the fans. The match, marked by the brilliance of Lionel Messi, also marked the farewell of Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, who are ending their professional careers with a title alongside the Argentine star. The Chase Stadium was the setting for this historic final, with an attendance of 21,500 spectators who witnessed the most important moment of the project led by David Beckham and the brothers José and Jorge Mas, since their debut in the league five years ago.
A promising start
Inter Miami took the lead early in the match. In the 8th minute, a dangerous cross from the right, following a play orchestrated by Messi, Rodrigo de Paul, and Tadeo Allende, culminated in an own goal by Colombian Édier Ocampo. The Messi-Allende connection continued to generate scoring opportunities, while Vancouver tried to react, demanding the goalkeeper Rocco Ríos, who stood out with crucial saves against Brian White, Emmanuel Sabbi and Thomas Müller.Vancouver ties and seeks a comeback
In the second half, Vancouver managed to tie the score in the 60th minute, thanks to Ali Ahmed, who took advantage of a collective play and an error by goalkeeper Ríos. Two minutes later, Sabbi came close to putting Vancouver ahead on the scoreboard with a powerful shot that hit both posts, in what could have been the decisive turn of the match.Messi to the Rescue
At the moment of greatest pressure from the Canadians, Messi recovered a ball in a dangerous area and assisted Rodrigo de Paul, who finished with class to restore the lead for Inter Miami in the 71st minute. From that moment on, the team led by Javier Mascherano controlled the pace of the game, backed by the experience of Busquets and Alba, in their last match as professionals. In added time, Messi once again took center stage by assisting Tadeo Allende, who sealed the 3-1 victory and unleashed the celebration in Fort Lauderdale.Golden Farewells
For Busquets and Alba, Messi’s former teammates at Barcelona, this triumph represented the perfect closure to their successful careers. Both were cheered by a fanbase that adopted them from their arrival at the club. The conquest of the title crowns Inter Miami’s ambitious project, which sought to emulate Guardiola’s Barça style in the MLS, and which, after overcoming obstacles, finally found its reward.Technical Sheet
Inter Miami: Rocco Ríos; Fray (Weigandt 90+1), Falcón, Allen, Alba; De Paul, Busquets, B. Rodríguez (Segovia 56′); Silvetti (Bright 78′), Allende, Messi. DT: Javier MascheranoVancouver: Takaoka; Laborda, Priso (Pupe 68′), Blackmon, Ocampo; Cubas (Cabrera 82′), Berhalter, Ahmed (Gauld 68′); Müller, Sabbi (Nelson 90+1), White. DT: Jesper SørensenGoals: 1-0 Ocampo (og, 8′); 1-1 Ahmed (60′); 2-1 De Paul (71′); 3-1 Allende (90+6′).
Referee: Drew Fischer (Canada). He cautioned Rodríguez, Falcón, De Paul, White, Ocampo, Blackmon, Cubas and Laborda.Incidents: MLS Cup final held at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, with 21,500 spectators.
Inter Miami, now MLS champion, writes a new chapter in its history, led by Lionel Messi and with an unforgettable ending for Busquets and Alba.
