Inter Miami, led by Lionel Messi, crushed New York City 5-1 with a Tadeo Allende hat trick to secure the Eastern Conference title and reach the MLS Cup final, where they will face the Vancouver Whitecaps in search of the most important trophy in the club’s short history.
Inter Miami, captained by Lionel Messi, qualified for the MLS play off final by thrashing New York City 5-1 at home, clinching the Eastern Conference title and writing a new chapter in the young club’s history.
For a franchise that only came into existence six years ago and spent its early seasons struggling for identity, consistency and silverware, this night in Fort Lauderdale felt like a turning point. The club that once lived more from marketing hype than from success on the pitch has evolved into a team with a clear idea, a strong spine and, above all, a winning mentality. The stands at Chase Stadium were packed long before kick off, with fans waving pink and black flags, many wearing Messi’s iconic number 10 shirt, fully aware that they were witnessing something unprecedented in the club’s short life.
The match itself quickly confirmed that Inter Miami were not content just to scrape their way into the final. They wanted to put on a show. Javier Mascherano’s side came out with an aggressive yet well structured game plan, pressing high when the opportunity presented itself but also dropping into a compact block when New York City tried to build patiently from the back. In that tactical framework, Argentine forward Tadeo Allende emerged as the symbol of the team’s ruthlessness in the final third.
Allende’s performance will be remembered by Inter Miami supporters for a long time. The 24 year old Argentine, who arrived in Florida with the reputation of being a versatile attacker capable of playing across the front line, “dressed up as Messi” on the night and took full responsibility for deciding the contest. His hat trick, with goals in the 14th, 23rd and 90th minutes, was not just a statistical feat but a demonstration of his range of skills.
His opener came after a moment of vintage control from Inter’s old guard. Sergio Busquets, scanning the pitch in that familiar calm way, spotted Allende’s run from the left channel into the space between full back and centre back. With one precise, long pass, the Spaniard broke the entire New York defensive line. Allende timed his movement perfectly, brought the ball under control and, with his right foot, finished low into the far corner. It was a goal that combined Busquets’s brain with Allende’s sharpness, and it set the tone for what was to come.
The second goal, less than ten minutes later, showcased another side of Allende’s game. This time the danger came from the opposite flank, with Jordi Alba overlapping and receiving a quick switch of play. The former Barcelona left back measured a teasing cross into the area. Allende, having ghosted between the centre backs, attacked the ball with conviction and powered a header into the net. It was a classic striker’s goal, full of timing, courage and determination, and it put Inter Miami firmly in control.
To their credit, New York City refused to collapse immediately. After Allende’s second, they briefly dragged themselves back into the contest. In the 37th minute, Justin Haak rose highest in the box to head home following a well delivered free kick from Argentine playmaker Maximiliano Moralez. At 2-1, with the away side showing signs of life, there was a brief sense that the night might become more complicated for Inter than the early stages had suggested.
But Mascherano’s team showed maturity. Rather than panicking or allowing the game to become stretched, they slowed the tempo, re established control through Busquets, and waited for their moment to strike again. That came in the second half, when Lionel Messi, who had been closely marked and often doubled up on, found a pocket of space between the lines. In the 67th minute, the Argentine captain slipped a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Mateo Silvetti, another compatriot. Silvetti’s run split the centre backs and his finish, low and precise, restored the two goal cushion and effectively killed any lingering doubts. The goal was a reminder that even when Messi is not on the scoresheet, his vision continues to define games.
With New York City now forced to chase the match, more spaces began to open up on the counter. Jordi Alba, still full of energy in the latter stages, surged forward again in the 83rd minute. Receiving the ball near the edge of the box, he cleverly flicked a back heel into the path of Venezuelan substitute Telasco Segovia. Segovia did not hesitate, striking the ball first time to make it 5-1 and transform a convincing win into a rout. In between those moments, Allende completed his hat trick in stoppage time with perhaps his most elegant finish of the night, a delicate chip over goalkeeper Freese after being released in behind by Bright. It was the kind of goal that encapsulates confidence: a player in form, fully aware that everything he touches might turn into a highlight.
Beyond the individual brilliance, this victory is the product of a project that changed radically when Messi arrived in Florida. Before the world champion joined, Inter Miami were a club still searching for relevance. Since his arrival, the trophy cabinet that once stood empty now contains three titles: the Leagues Cup in 2023, the Supporters Shield as the best team of the 2024 regular season, and now the Eastern Conference championship. Each of those trophies has helped to shift the perception of the club from a marketing venture built around a global superstar to a competitive force that aims to dominate MLS.
Mascherano’s role in that transformation should not be underestimated. The former defensive midfielder, famous for his leadership and intensity as a player, has managed to transfer those qualities to the touchline. Under his guidance, Inter Miami have become more compact without losing their flair. The balance between experience and youth is evident: veterans like Messi, Busquets and Alba provide structure, know how and calm, while players such as Allende, Silvetti and Segovia inject energy, ambition and hunger.
Now, the focus turns to the MLS Cup final, where Inter Miami will host the Vancouver Whitecaps. The Canadian side arrives full of confidence after a 3-1 win away at San Diego FC in the Western Conference final, a match they effectively decided in the first half. Brian White struck twice, in the 8th minute and again in first half stoppage time, while an own goal from Mexican defender Pablo Sisniega in the 11th minute gave the Whitecaps a commanding lead. Although Mexican forward Hirving Lozano Aida reduced the deficit in the 60th minute, Vancouver, with German star Thomas Müller orchestrating many of their attacking moves, showed organisation and resilience. San Diego’s chances were further harmed when Sisniega was sent off in the 79th minute, allowing the visitors to manage the final stages without excessive drama.
The final, therefore, promises a clash of contrasting styles. Inter Miami bring a possession based approach influenced by the Barcelona school, with Messi drifting between the lines, Busquets dictating the tempo and Alba providing constant width. Vancouver, on the other hand, have shown themselves to be efficient, direct when necessary and dangerous on the break, with White in clinical form and Müller providing the experience of someone who has played and won at the very highest level in Europe.
For Inter Miami’s supporters, the equation is simple. Win on Saturday and the club will not only add a fourth trophy to its rapidly growing collection but also claim the most prestigious title in American soccer: the MLS Cup, the crown that would officially confirm their transformation from expansion side to national powerhouse. For Messi, it would be another trophy in a career already filled with domestic, continental and international titles. For Mascherano, it would be a first major success as a coach at club level. And for players like Tadeo Allende, it would be the perfect confirmation of a breakout season in which he stepped out of the shadows and into the spotlight alongside one of the greatest players of all time.
