Inter Miami advanced to the Leagues Cup semifinals with a 2-1 victory over Mexican side Tigres UANL on Wednesday night. The match was overshadowed by the unexpected absence of Lionel Messi, who was ruled out shortly before kickoff due to a recurring muscle injury.
The quarterfinal clash at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale saw veteran striker Luis Suárez become the unexpected hero, converting two penalties to secure Miami’s passage to the next round. The victory keeps Inter Miami’s hopes alive for reclaiming the Leagues Cup title they won in 2023.
What Were the Confirmed Lineups?
Inter Miami fielded a 4-2-3-1 formation without their iconic number 10:
- Starting XI: Oscar Ustari (GK); Ian Fray, Gonzalo Lujan, Maximiliano Falcon, Jordi Alba; Rodrigo De Paul, Sergio Busquets; Telasco Segovia, Tadeo Allende, Yannick Bright; Luis Suárez
- Substitutes: Rios, Yarbrough, Weigandt, Sailor, Aviles, Allen, D. Ruiz, Cremaschi, Rodriguez, Morales, Picault, Obando
Tigres UANL countered with a 4-5-1 setup:
- Starting XI: Nahuel Guzmán (GK); Javier Aquino, Rómulo, Juan José Purata, Jesús Garza; Diego Lainez, Juan Brunetta, Fernando Gorriarán, Oziel Herrera, Ángel Correa; Nicolás Ibáñez
- Substitutes: Carrera, C. Rodríguez, Joaquim, Farfan, Guerrero, Parra, Pizzuto, Vigon, Cordova, I. López, Flores, Gignac
Why Wasn’t Messi in the Lineup?
Messi’s absence stemmed from a recurring muscle injury initially suffered during Miami’s August 2nd Leagues Cup match against Necaxa. Although he returned as a substitute against LA Galaxy on August 17th recording a goal and assist in 45 minutes. he experienced discomfort during that appearance.
Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano had expressed caution before the match: “Leo didn’t train with the group; he trained separately. He felt uncomfortable in the 45 minutes he played [vs. LA Galaxy]. We’ll monitor him between today and tomorrow, but he’s not ruled out”. Ultimately, the medical staff decided against risking further injury to the Argentine superstar.
How Did Inter Miami Perform Without Messi?
Surprisingly effectively, thanks largely to Luis Suárez’s clinical penalty conversions. The Uruguayan veteran opened the scoring in the 20th minute after Tigres defender Javier Aquino was penalized for a handball 9.
The match grew tense before halftime, with Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano receiving a red card for protesting injury time decisions. He watched the second half from the stands as Tigres equalized in the 67th minute through Ángel Correa.
The dramatic winner came in the 87th minute when Aquino again handled the ball in the area. Suárez stepped up and converted his second penalty, sending goalkeeper Nahuel Guzmán the wrong way.
How Are Fans and Experts Reacting?
Social media erupted with mixed reactions to Messi’s absence. Many expressed disappointment after anticipating his participation, while others praised Inter Miami’s resilience without their talisman.
Tigres fans lamented Javier Aquino’s two costly handballs that resulted in penalties, while Inter Miami supporters celebrated Suárez’s composure under pressure. The match also generated significant discussion about the physical demands on Messi as he ages.
Experts noted that Inter Miami’s ability to win without Messi against quality opposition signals growing depth and tactical flexibility under Mascherano. The performance of new signing Rodrigo De Paul particularly stood out as a positive development.
What Does This Mean for Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup Campaign?
The victory advances Inter Miami to the Leagues Cup semifinals, keeping them on track to reclaim the title they won in 2023. More importantly, it demonstrates the team can win crucial matches without relying solely on Messi.
The tournament offers significant continental implications. Both finalists and the third-place match winner will qualify for the Concacaf Champions Cup, with the Leagues Cup champion securing direct entry to the Champions Cup round of 16.
What Happens Next for Inter Miami and Messi?
Attention now turns to the semifinal match, where Inter Miami will face the winner between Toluca and Orlando City. The team will hope to have Messi back for the crucial fixture, though his status remains uncertain.
Medical staff will continue monitoring Messi’s muscle injury, with the team likely taking a cautious approach given his age and importance to the franchise. The coming days will involve extensive evaluation and recovery protocols.
The long-term concern remains managing Messi’s minutes throughout the season to ensure his availability for crucial matches during the playoff push and potential trophy opportunities.
Conclusion
Inter Miami’s 2-1 victory over Tigres UANL demonstrated significant mental toughness and tactical discipline without their superstar. While Messi’s absence initially seemed catastrophic, the team adapted and found a way to win through Suárez’s clinical finishing and collective defensive effort.
The result provides optimism that Inter Miami can remain competitive in crucial matches even when missing key players. As the Leagues Cup reaches its business end, all eyes will be on Messi’s recovery timeline and the team’s ability to maintain this momentum.
FAQ
Why did Messi not play against Tigres UANL?
Messi missed the match due to a muscle injury originally suffered on August 2nd against Necaxa. He felt discomfort during his 45-minute substitute appearance against LA Galaxy on August 17th, and medical staff decided not to risk further injury.
How did Inter Miami replace Messi in the lineup?
Inter Miami used a 4-2-3-1 formation with Luis Suárez as the central striker, supported by Tadeo Allende, Telasco Segovia, and Yannick Bright in attacking roles. Rodrigo De Paul and Sergio Busquets anchored the midfield.
What was the final score without Messi?
Inter Miami won 2-1 against Tigres UANL, with both goals coming from penalty conversions by Luis Suárez in the 20th and 87th minutes.
