In a gripping encounter on July 26, 2023, Inter Miami triumphed over Tigres UANL, winning 2-1 in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The victory came despite the absence of star player Lionel Messi, who was sidelined due to injury. Luis Suarez played a pivotal role, scoring both goals, including a decisive penalty in the 89th minute.
Miami’s manager, Javier Mascherano, was sent off at halftime, adding to the team’s challenges. Despite his ejection, which forced him to the stands, Miami showcased resilience to secure their place in the semifinals for the second time in three years. The match was marked by a flurry of action, particularly in the closing minutes.
Suarez opened the scoring in the 23rd minute after Tigres’ Javier Aquino committed a foul in the penalty area. A video review confirmed the handball, leading to the first penalty conversion by Suarez. Tigres leveled the score in the 67th minute when Angel Correa found the net.
The tension escalated late in the game when Tigres seemed poised to take control. In the first minute of stoppage time, Ivan Lopez nearly scored with a header that struck both goalposts but ultimately stayed out, leaving the score tied.
Following Mascherano’s dismissal, he was seen using a phone to communicate with his staff, a move that violated regulations for ejected coaches. The match concluded with Miami securing the win, setting up a semifinal clash against Orlando City.
Orlando City Advances with Shootout Victory
Orlando City booked their spot in the semifinals by overcoming Toluca in a tense shootout after the match ended in a scoreless draw. Played in Carson, California, the game highlighted Orlando’s defensive prowess, with goalkeeper Pedro Gallese emerging as the hero.
Gallese made two critical saves during the shootout, denying Nicolas Castro and Juan Pablo Dominguez after both teams had converted their initial five kicks. Although Orlando’s Ramiro Enrique missed a chance to seal the win in the sixth round, Gallese stepped up to convert the seventh penalty, securing a 6-5 victory.
Despite finishing the match with a scoreless tie, Toluca dominated possession and outshot Orlando 15-4 over 90 minutes. Orlando’s only shot on target came from a header by Rodrigo Schlegel, which forced Toluca’s goalkeeper, Luis Garcia, into action.
The upcoming semifinal match between Inter Miami and Orlando City will be particularly intriguing, as Orlando has bested Miami in their previous two regular-season encounters, winning by a combined score of 7-1. The stage is set for an exciting clash as both teams seek to advance further in the Leagues Cup.
