FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – Lionel Messi may have been watching from the sidelines, but his old friends were able to help Inter Miami advance to the knockout stage in the 2025 Leagues Cup tournament.
Rodrigo De Paul scored his first goal with Inter Miami, Luis Suarez scored a goal and added two assists, and Inter Miami beat Pumas UNAM 3-1 at Chase Stadium on Wednesday, Aug. 6 to advance to the Leagues Cup quarterfinals.
Tadeo Allende also scored for Inter Miami – playing without Messi, who did not play due to a minor muscle injury in his upper right leg. Messi watched the match from an on-field suite, and stood during the action to cheer his old friends and teammates.
Inter Miami has eight points in the MLS side of the Leagues Cup standings, ensuring they will advance to the knockout stage when the first phase of the tournament concludes on Aug. 7. The top four clubs from MLS and Liga MX advance to the Leagues Cup quarterfinals on Aug. 19 and 20.
De Paul, who won the World Cup with Messi and Argentina, has already paid major dividends for Inter Miami after his summer transfer from La Liga’s Atletico de Madrid. He scored in the 45th minute to tie the match just before halftime, answering a goal scored by Pumas’ Jorge Ruvalcaba in the 34th minute.
De Paul, who made his debut during the Leagues Cup opener on July 30, had two assists in Inter Miami’s second Leagues Cup match against Necaxa on Aug. 2, which they won via penalty shootout after Messi was injured and left the match in the 11th minute.
Suarez delivered assists to goals by De Paul and Allende (69’) on Wednesday, while converting a penalty kick in the 59th minute to put Inter Miami ahead. He appeared to score a goal earlier in the match, but was ruled offside in the 49th minute.
It was the first goal by Suarez since he scored in Inter Miami’s 2-2 draw against Brazilian side Palmeiras in the FIFA Club World Cup on June 23.
Suarez celebrated the score by wearing a cowboy hat bearing his daughter’s name, sending kisses to her on the sidelines. Delfina Suarez celebrated her 15th birthday this week.
Inter Miami returns to MLS regular-season play on the road against Orlando City on Aug. 10, then hosts the defending MLS Cup champion L.A. Galaxy on Aug. 16 before their next Leagues Cup match.
However, it remains unclear when Messi could return to Inter Miami’s lineup.
Watch Leagues Cup matches on Apple TV Inter Miami 3, Pumas 1: Tadeo Allende scores goal
Inter Miami is in command now with its second goal in the second half.
Tadeo Allende scored in the 69th minute, and Inter Miami leads 3-1 against Pumas. Luis Suarez delivered his second assist of the match during the sequence.
Inter Miami is about 20 minutes away from advancing to the Leagues Cup quarterfinals.
Inter Miami 2, Pumas 1: Luis Suarez scores penalty goal
Luis Suarez converted a penalty kick in the 59th minute, and Inter Miami leads 2-1 against Pumas in their Leagues Cup matchup.
It’s the first goal by Suarez since he scored in Inter Miami’s Club World Cup match against Brazilian side Palmeiras on June 23.
The opportunity came after a handball was called on Pumas defender José Caicedo in the penalty area, while challenging possession by Inter Miami’s Telasco Segovia.
If the score stands, Inter Miami would be in the top four MLS clubs who advance to the Leagues Cup quarterfinals.
Inter Miami 1, Pumas 1: Luis Suarez offsides on goal
Luis Suarez nearly made his presence felt with a goal scored in the 49th minute, but he was called offside.
Suarez celebrated the goal by wearing his daughter’s cowboy hat after she celebrated her 15th birthday this week, before it was taken off the scoreboard.
Inter Miami needs a victory to be among the top four teams to advance to the Leagues Cup knockout stage.
Inter Miami 1, Pumas 1: Rodrigo De Paul scores his first goal
Rodrigo De Paul finished an assist by Luis Suarez to help Inter Miami tie Pumas 1-1 in the 45th minute.
De Paul, who won the World Cup with Messi and Argentina, is playing in his third match with Inter Miami. He had two assists in Inter Miami’s last match, and has scored his first goal with his new club.
Pumas 1, Inter Miami 0: Jorge Ruvalcaba scores goal
There was no flag raised for offsides to save Inter Miami. Pumas’ Jorge Ruvalcaba made a cut inside behind the defense, and fired in the first goal of the match in the 34th minute.
Inter Miami, playing without Messi, is in danger of being eliminated from Leagues Cup if the score stands.
Messi in attendance for Inter Miami vs. Pumas Leagues Cup match
Inter Miami starting lineup vs. Pumas
Here’s the Inter Miami lineup without Messi against Pumas:
Pumas starting lineup vs. Inter Miami
What time is the Inter Miami vs. Pumas Leagues Cup match?
The match begins at 7:30 p.m. ET (8:30 p.m. in Argentina).
How to watch Inter Miami vs. Pumas live stream?
The match is available on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV.
Is Messi playing tonight?
No, Messi is not playing against Pumas. He was ruled out a day before the match, according to Mascherano.
Why is Messi not playing tonight?
Inter Miami announced Messi has a minor muscle injury in his upper right leg. He sustained the injury in Inter Miami’s last Leagues Cup match against Necaxa on Aug. 2.
How long will Messi be out?
It’s unclear how long Messi’s recovery will take. Mascherano did not divulge a timetable for Messi’s potential return, but said the club’s diagnosis of Messi’s injury is “good news.”
“He’s a special player, and he normally recovers from the injuries quickly,” Mascherano said. “Once he’s ready, he’ll come back.”
Leagues Cup: Who’s in and who’s out?
Only one team has advanced to the quarterfinal: Liga MX side Toluca. Here’s the status of the MLS and Liga MX clubs in the Leagues Cup before the final two matchdays of phase one:
- MLS clubs eliminated: Atlanta United, Charlotte FC, Houston Dynamo, CF Montréal, New York City FC and San Diego FC.
- Liga MX clubs eliminated: Club América, Atlas FC, Atlético de San Luis, Chivas de Guadalajara, Club Léon, Cruz Azul, Mazatlán FC, CF Monterrey, Querétaro FC and Santos Laguna
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What does Inter Miami need to advance in Leagues Cup?
The scenario is simple for Inter Miami without Messi: Win vs. Pumas, and they’ll advance to the quarterfinals (Aug. 19-20).
Inter Miami would have eight points in the MLS side of the Leagues Cup table, clearing them from a pack of six other MLS clubs in the standings.
Inter Miami would be among the top four clubs in the MLS table to reach the knockout stage.
Any other result, and Inter Miami would need some help from the Liga MX sides to beat their MLS counterparts to ensure a Top 4 finish in the MLS side of the Leagues Cup table.
How did Inter Miami get to this point in the Leagues Cup?
Inter Miami has five points in the MLS Leagues Cup standings,
on July 30, and a penalty shootout win vs. Necaxa on Aug. 2.
Inter Miami upcoming schedule
- Aug. 6: Inter Miami vs. Pumas, 7:30 p.m. ET (Leagues Cup)
- Aug. 10: Orlando City vs. Inter Miami, 8 p.m. (MLS regular season)
- Aug. 16: Inter Miami vs. LA Galaxy, 7:30 p.m. (MLS regular season)
- Aug. 19 or 20: Leagues Cup quarterfinals (if applicable)
- Aug. 23: D.C. United vs. Inter Miami, 7:30 p.m. ET (MLS regular season)
- Aug. 26 or 27: Leagues Cup semifinals (if applicable)
- Aug. 30: Inter Miami vs. Chicago Fire, 7:30 p.m. ET (MLS regular season)
- Aug. 31: Leagues Cup final and third-place match (if applicable)
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