Inter Miami secured a hard-fought victory against Tigres UANL, winning 2-1 in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals held on July 26, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The team managed to overcome the absence of star player Lionel Messi, who was sidelined due to injury. Luis Suarez was pivotal for Miami, converting two penalties, including a decisive shot in the closing moments of the match.
The atmosphere was tense as Miami’s head coach, Javier Mascherano, received a red card at halftime, leaving him to communicate with his team from the stands. Despite this setback, the Herons pressed on, showing resilience throughout the match.
Suarez opened the scoring in the 23rd minute after a foul led to the first penalty, which set the tone for Miami’s attack. Javier Aquino of Tigres was penalized for a handball in the box, allowing Suarez to convert the opportunity. Tigres found an equalizer in the 67th minute when Angel Correa scored, but Miami’s determination shone through when they were awarded a second penalty late in the game.
Referee Mario Escobar utilized video review to determine another handball against Aquino, granting Miami a chance to take the lead again. Suarez seized the moment, scoring the winning penalty in the 89th minute.
The match had its share of drama as Tigres nearly equalized again in stoppage time. Ivan Lopez‘s powerful header struck both goalposts but ultimately failed to cross the line, sealing the victory for Miami.
Looking ahead, Inter Miami will face Orlando City in the semifinals, a match that promises to be competitive as Orlando has bested Miami in two previous encounters this season, scoring a combined total of 7-1.
In another quarterfinal match, Orlando City progressed past Toluca in a tense penalty shootout after a goalless draw. The game took place in Carson, California, where Pedro Gallese emerged as a hero, saving two penalties before scoring the decisive kick himself.
Orlando’s victory was notable as they faced a challenging match, with Toluca outshooting them 15-4 during regulation time. Despite the disparity in shots, Orlando’s defense held firm, relying on a single shot on target that forced a save from Toluca’s goalkeeper Luis Garcia.
As the stage is set for the semifinals, fans can expect a thrilling matchup between these two Florida rivals on the path to the Leagues Cup final.
