Inter Miami Advances to the 2025 Leagues Cup Semifinals
Inter Miami CF secured their spot in the Leagues Cup 2025 semifinals after an exciting 2-1 victory over Tigres on Wednesday night at Chase Stadium.
Despite the absence of their captain and star, Lionel Messi, who did not participate in the match due to a muscle injury, the 2023 Leagues Cup champions managed to advance to the next round.
The Miami team took the lead early in the match thanks to a penalty awarded for a handball by Tigres defender Javier Aquino inside the area. Luis Suárez was in charge of executing the penalty, scoring the goal that put his team ahead.
However, the team suffered a setback in the first half when Jordi Alba suffered an injury after an accidental collision with his teammate Telasco Segovia. Although the defender tried to continue playing, he had to be substituted at halftime.
Before the second half began, coach Javier Mascherano received a red card, forcing him to leave the bench. Immediately after being sent off, Mascherano went to the VIP seats above the bench, while his assistant, Leandro Stillitano, took control on the field.
Mascherano will not be able to coach Inter Miami in the semi-final due to the red card received.
According to the tournament rules, an expelled coach can watch the rest of the match from the stands, but cannot give instructions or influence the game.
Despite Leagues Cup regulations, Mascherano began giving instructions and shouting from the Chase Stadium stands before being asked to stop.
Television images later showed Mascherano talking on the phone with assistant coach Lucas Rodriguez Pagano about the match.
As the game progressed, Tigres began to dominate possession and managed to score a goal in the 67th minute thanks to a goal by Ángel Correa, a new summer signing and Messi’s teammate in the Argentine national team. However, the tie didn’t last long, as a second handball inside the Tigres area gave Inter Miami another penalty.
Once again, Suárez took charge of the penalty, sending the ball into the back of the net.
Inter Miami is now preparing to face the winner of the series between Orlando City and Toluca from Liga MX.
