Inter Miami have secured their first-ever MLS Cup final appearance after a spectacular 5-1 victory over New York City FC in the Eastern Conference championship match on Saturday, November 29, 2025.
Allende's Hat-Trick Seals Historic Victory
The match at Fort Lauderdale's DRV PNK Stadium saw Argentine sensation Tadeo Allende deliver a stunning performance, netting three goals to propel David Beckham's franchise into the championship decider. The victory marks a remarkable turnaround for a club that had never advanced beyond the first postseason round in its first five seasons.
Allende opened the scoring in the 12th minute, expertly controlling a long pass from Sergio Busquets before calmly beating NYCFC goalkeeper Matt Freese. The young striker doubled Miami's advantage just eleven minutes later, heading home from a precision cross by Jordi Alba.
Messi Makes History Despite Physical Battle
Lionel Messi, while not finding the net himself, played a crucial role in the comprehensive victory. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner provided the assist for Mateo Silvetti's 67th-minute goal, which is believed to be his 405th career assist for club and country - potentially the most in football history.
The Argentine maestro endured a physical encounter, taking a blow to the head in the ninth minute that left him briefly shaken. He recovered to influence the game significantly, with his partnership with former Barcelona teammates Busquets and Alba proving instrumental throughout the match.
New York City FC managed a consolation goal through Justin Haak in the 37th minute, but Miami's dominance was never in serious doubt. Telasco Segovia added a fourth goal in the 83rd minute before Allende completed his hat-trick in the 89th minute to cap a memorable evening.
Road to MLS Glory
Inter Miami, who entered the playoffs as the Eastern Conference's third seed, will host the MLS Cup final on December 6 at 2:30 PM ET. Their opponents will be determined by the Western Conference championship between San Diego and Vancouver.
The final presents an intriguing challenge for Miami, who suffered two defeats against Vancouver earlier this season, including a 5-1 aggregate loss in the CONCACAF Champions Cup semi-finals.
The victory continues Inter Miami's remarkable transformation since Messi's arrival in 2023. When the Argentine legend joined, the team was mired at the bottom of the MLS standings amid an 11-match winless streak. Since then, they've captured the Leagues Cup (2023) and Supporters' Shield (2024), with Messi likely to claim his second consecutive MLS MVP award.
The club's global appeal was evident throughout the evening, with tennis star Carlos Alcaraz and members of the US women's national team among the celebrity spectators witnessing Miami's historic achievement.
