Even without their talisman Lionel Messi on the pitch, Inter Miami CF delivered a strong statement on Wednesday night, defeating Mexico’s Pumas UNAM 3-1 to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Leagues Cup.
The match, played at Chase Stadium, saw Inter Miami overcome an early scare from the visitors, who opened the scoring in the first half. But goals from veterans Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, along with an impressive finish from Tadeo Allende, helped the hosts turn the game around and seal all three points.
Messi, who missed the encounter due to a hamstring injury sustained during Inter Miami’s clash with Necaxa on August 2, was a visible presence on the sidelines—cheering passionately for every goal as he recovers. The Argentine legend is expected to return once fully fit, with the club cautious about rushing him back too soon.
With the win, Javier Mascherano’s squad concluded the group stage with eight points—having beaten both Atlas and Pumas in regulation time, drawn against Necaxa, and claimed a bonus point after edging the Mexican side 5-4 in a post-match penalty shootout.
The revised Leagues Cup format awards points during the group stage to determine seeding for the next round, encouraging more competitive play across North American clubs.
Inter Miami, who won the inaugural edition of the Leagues Cup in 2023, are hoping to make another deep run in the tournament this year after falling to the Columbus Crew in the round of 16 last season.
With knockout football ahead and Messi’s potential return on the horizon, the South Florida club will be looking to build on their momentum—and perhaps reclaim the trophy they once held.