Inter Miami, Lionel Messi win first MLS Cup 3-1 vs. Vancouver Whitecaps originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Lionel Messi has completed Major League Soccer.
Messi and Inter Miami beat the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the MLS Cup Final Saturday at Chase Stadium, as Miami had home-turf advantage for having the superior record.
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It marks Miami’s first ever MLS Cup win having started play in 2020, while Messi, Jordi Alba, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez are all first time Cup champions. The team won the 2024 Supporters’ Shield for the best regular-season record, but was stunningly upset in the first round of the playoffs.
Alba and Busquets also marked their final professional games with a major triumph before heading off into retirement.
Miami took the lead in just the eighth minute, but it came off an unfortunate moment for Vancouver. Tadeo Allende broke free with all green grass ahead of him and teammate Mateo Silvetti open for a tap in to his left. The pass was broken up and deflected into the net by defender Edier Ocampo.
Vancouver had a key chance to equalize in the 38th minute when winger Emmanuel Sabbi got on the end of a slick lobbed pass, but his attempt went right at goalie Rios Novos. It stayed 1-0 at the break but the Whitecaps were far the more dangerous side.
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They eventually got their way in the 60th minute.
Brian White showed off solid hold-up play to swivel it from the right flank to the free left flank, where wide midfielder Ali Ahmed came in for an open momentum shot. It wasn’t the strongest effort, but it somehow couldn’t be prevented by Novos to make it 1-1.
Vancouver remained the dominant side with the ball from there, but it changed dramatically in the 71st minute.
Veteran midfielder Andres Cubas got caught out in possession in his own half, allowing Messi to get up field with momentum. He slipped in fellow Argentine star Rodrigo De Paul to make it 2-1 in the 71st, making his moment of magic count at a key time.
But those magic moments didn’t stop there. In Vancouver’s hunt for the equalizer, it was Messi who provided the spark for the game’s final goal. Messi brought down an Alba ball with perfect control with his chest, then delivered an exquisite slick to send Allende through on goal for a 1v1, and he made no mistake.
Vancouver ended the game with 65% possession, but just didn’t offer enough threat on goal following its equalizer. Miami defended its third well and always looked the more threatening side in transition, especially after the equalizer.
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The Whitecaps made their first appearance in the Cup Final since beginning play in 2011, but didn’t have enough attacking quality to outperform Messi and Co., despite Thomas Muller’s addition.
Vancouver ended the game with 1.21 expected goals, per FotMob, but Miami came through with 1.29 despite having 0.7 until the third goal. Miami had three shots on target on eight total attempts, with two big chances, both being scored. Vancouver had four shots on target on 10 attempts, missing its only big chance.
The win for Miami also marked a proper send off for Chase Stadium, as the team will move into the new Miami Freedom Park venue beginning in 2026.
Along with the Supporters’ Shield and the MLS Cup, Messi also guided Miami to a Leagues Cup triumph in his debut 2023 season. The GOAT did it again.
