Inter Miami advanced to the Leagues Cup 2025 semifinal after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Mexican side Tigres UANL on Wednesday night. The win came without Lionel Messi, who was sidelined due to discomfort, but Luis Suarez stepped up by scoring two decisive goals from the penalty spot.
Messi, who guided Miami past LA Galaxy in the previous round, did not participate in training ahead of the game and was rested for precautionary reasons. Assistant coach Javier Morales explained, “We go by what Messi feels. Today he wasn’t at 100 percent, so we preferred not to take any risks.”
Suarez opened the scoring after Jordi Alba’s cross struck Tigres defender Javier Aquino on the arm, earning Miami a penalty that the Uruguayan calmly converted. Tigres responded with an equalizer when Ángel Correa sliced through the defense and scored to level the match. However, Aquino was again at fault when another handball was called inside the box, and Suarez capitalized from the spot to secure his brace and Miami’s passage to the next round.
Tigres nearly forced extra time when Edgar Lopez’s late header rattled both goalposts before bouncing away. Drama also unfolded on the sidelines as Miami assistant coach Javier Mascherano was shown a red card before the second half. Cameras captured him allegedly giving instructions over the phone after his dismissal, a violation of Leagues Cup rules.
Jordi Alba also left the match early in the second half following a knee knock sustained late in the first half. Morales said the medical staff would assess the injury but added, “From what I understand, he took a hit to the knee.”
Despite Messi’s absence and the setbacks, Suarez’s composure in front of goal ensured Miami’s progress, keeping their hopes of lifting the Leagues Cup trophy alive.