By Tony Álvarez
No Lionel Messi? No problem for Inter Miami CF, who rallied from a goal down to defeat Pumas UNAM 3-1 in a thrilling Leagues Cup showdown at Chase Stadium. With the result, the MLS side clinches a spot in the Knockout Stage, while Pumas exits the tournament despite a valiant effort.
In the first-ever meeting between the two clubs, both sides delivered an entertaining contest filled with momentum swings and attacking flair. Inter Miami nearly opened the scoring in the 16th minute when Luis Suárez rifled a shot from outside the box just wide of the target, setting the tone for a high-tempo clash.
Pumas, forced to start a third goalkeeper in six matches due to Keylor Navas’ suspension, turned to 21-year-old Miguel Paul for his professional debut. The youngster was supported well by his team early on, and the Liga MX side broke through in the 34th minute. Pedro Vite played a perfectly timed ball to Jorge Ruvalcaba, who darted between defenders and calmly slotted a right-footed finish into the net to give Pumas the lead.
Inter Miami responded just before halftime. Suárez, drifting wide, delivered a pinpoint cross into the box that Rodrigo De Paul controlled beautifully before firing a clever finish with the outside of his right foot past the debutant goalkeeper to level the score at 1-1 in the 45th minute.
The goal marked De Paul’s first for the club and his third goal contribution in as many games, snapping a 31-game scoreless streak in the process.
Miami seized full control in the second half. In the 56th minute, a miscue in the Pumas defense resulted in a penalty after a deflection led to a handball by José Caicedo. Suárez stepped up and calmly converted with a cheeky Panenka, giving his side its first penalty goal of the season and a 2-1 lead.
Just ten minutes later, Suárez turned provider again. With a masterful through ball that split the Pumas backline, he found Tadeo Allende in stride, and the Argentine attacker slotted home to seal the 3-1 victory.
Pumas pushed forward in the final stages, but Inter Miami remained composed to secure the win and finish Phase One with eight points. Pumas, who finish with five, are officially eliminated, but leave the tournament with several bright moments to build on for the rest of their Liga MX campaign.
REACTIONS
- Inter Miami Head Coach Javier Mascherano
- “We played a great match despite the difficulties we had because the opponent is a top team, with important players, but except for a few moments, especially in the first half when we suffered for 10 or 15 minutes, we adapted well afterwards.”
- “I thanked (Rodrigo De Paul), more than for the effort, for his willingness to play three games in seven days (...) after not having a preseason and coming back from vacation, playing the way he does is a great help.”
- “I think (Luis Suárez) played a great game; he helped us in difficult moments. He is always a player who, regardless of whether things may go a little better or worse for him, Luis always looks out for the team.”
PLAYERS OF THE MATCH
- Inter Miami
- Luis Suárez led the charge without Messi, scoring a goal and assisting on another.
- Pumas UNAM
- Jorge Ruvalcaba scored for the 3rd time in five games since the start of the Apertura 2025.
GAME NOTES
- Inter Miami moves on to the Knockout Stage for the 3rd straight year, won it all in 2023 and was eliminated in the Round of 16 last year.
- Inter Miami gets their 12th win all-time at Leagues Cup (most all-time)
- Luis Suárez set-up Miami's opening goal with a wonderful cross to De paul, and later scored on a panenka from the penalty spot. The 38-year-old ended a streak of 9 games without a goal, which was tied for his longest since joining Miami.
- Suárez's penalty was the first of the season for Miami, they went 22 league games without attempting a penalty kick.
- Rodrigo De Paul scored his first goal with Inter Miami and is now up to 3 goal contributions through three games (1 G, 2 A)
CARDS/INJURY REPORT
- Yellow Cards
- Inter Miami: Luis Suárez
- Pumas UNAM: Álvaro Angulo, Nathan Silva
LOOKING AHEAD
- Inter Miami will now wait for the rest of Phase One to play out to know who they will face in the Quarterfinals.
- Pumas finishes their League Cup participation with five points and now will return to Liga MX action this weekend.
