Messi, Inter Miami defeat New York to reach first MLS Cup final

Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami will host Vancouver in the MLS Cup final after a dominant victory against New York City FC.Published On 30 Nov 2025Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano hailed Lionel Messi as “extraordinary” after the Argentinian superstar steered the club into their first Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup final with a 5-1 thrashing of New York City FC on Saturday.A Tadeo Allende hat-trick and goals from Mateo Silvetti and Telasco Segovia sent a revitalised Miami roaring into the championship game next Saturday at their home field in Fort Lauderdale.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Flamengo beat Palmeiras to win Copa Libertadores titlelist 2 of 4Yamal, Olmo score as Barca recovers to beat Alaves 3-1 in La Ligalist 3 of 4Arsenal boss Arteta says Chelsea ‘deserve’ to be considered title rivalslist 4 of 4All you need to know about FIFA Arab Cup 2025end of listWhile Messi did not get on the scoresheet, the 38-year-old provided a crucial, classy assist for Miami’s third goal scored by Silvetti that killed off the game as New York chased an equaliser.“Leo has accustomed us to the extraordinary,” Mascherano said of his former Barcelona and Argentina teammate.“He’s someone extraordinary, someone we’ll never see again. Today, perhaps we’re surprised that he didn’t score, but he gave us peace of mind with the third goal, an assist that only he can see. He practically sealed the game.”Miami will host the Vancouver Whitecaps in next Saturday’s MLS showpiece.Vancouver, spearheaded by former Germany and Bayern Munich star Thomas Muller, advanced to the final with a superb 3-1 victory over San Diego in California on Saturday to claim the Western Conference crown.Messi and his teammates will head into the final bristling with confidence after another ruthless, high-scoring demolition job that followed on from their 4-0 drubbing of FC Cincinnati in the previous round.Allende – who scored twice in the victory over Cincinnati – was once again the focal point of the Miami attack.