North American League Cup - Messi scored twice, Miami International reversed 10-man Orlando City 3-1 and advanced to the finals

At 8:30 am on August 28, a semi-final of the 2025 North American Cup kicked off, with Miami International playing against Orlando City at home. In the first half, Orlando City scored in stoppage time; in the second half, Orlando City was sent off, Messi scored a goal, and then scored in the penalty area, scoring twice, Segovia scored a goal before the end of the game to expand the score. In the end, Miami International reversed Orlando City 3-1 at home and advanced to the finals first, and will face the winner between the Los Angeles Galaxy and the Seattle Bayermen in the finals.

This year's North American League Cup was participated by the top 18 teams in the US League last season and all 18 teams in the Mexican Super League. After three rounds of group matches, the quarter-finals were decided. In the quarter-finals, Miami International defeated the Mexican Tigers 2-1 and advanced to the semi-finals. Miami International's opponent in the semi-finals was Orlando City, who eliminated Toluca Sports in the last round after a penalty shootout. Miami International and Orlando City are both the Eastern Conference teams of the FAF, ranking fifth and sixth in the regular season.

This game is played at Miami International home court. In the second minute, Messi dribbled the ball to the front of the penalty area and passed the ball to the right. DePaul dribbled the ball to the sideline of the penalty area and made a low cross. The Orlando City defender took the lead and cleared the ball. In the 8th minute, Oheda received a straight pass from the left line of the penalty area and sent a low cross. Muriel snatched the ball from the front point, and the ball was put into his arms by Miami goalkeeper Ustari.

In the 9th minute, Muriel tapped at the top of the penalty area, Oheda dribbled the ball into the left side of the penalty area, and the shot from a small angle was saved by Ustari. In the 24th minute, Suarez passed back from the top of the penalty area to make the ball. DePaul stopped the ball and adjusted the ball and shot the long shot, but was hit by Orlando City goalkeeper with both palms. In the 26th minute, Orlando City formed a one-on-one opportunity, and Angulo dribbled the ball near the penalty point and pushed the ball and missed the post on the right. In the 30th minute, Suarez dribbled the ball into the penalty area from the right, dunked a defensive player and then shot the ball and missed the far post.

In the 38th minute, Miami International got a corner kick opportunity on the right. Messi took the penalty and directly hit the ball towards the goal. Orlando City goalkeeper blocked the ball from the far corner. In the 42nd minute, DePaul passed the ball to the left, Alba got the ball from the left side of the penalty area and made a cross. Falcon shot from the middle of the penalty area and was taken by the goalkeeper.

In the first minute of stoppage time in the first half, Muriel made a straight pass from the top of the penalty area, Marco Pashalic scored a ball in front of the middle of the penalty area, shook the defender and shot and scored. Orlando City led 1-0! At the end of the first half, Orlando City entered the break with a 1-0 lead.

The second half changed sides and then played again. In the 50th minute, Alba drew a low ball from the left on the frontcourt to the penalty area. Suarez's shot from the middle of the penalty area was confiscated by the goalkeeper. In the 60th minute, Messi dribbled the ball continuously in the penalty area and then turned around and shot but was blocked by the defensive player.

In the 67th minute, Alba made a cross from the left, and Messi was ready to jump to the top at the back point, but Orlando City goalkeeper took the lead and took the ball off. In the 70th minute, Miami International received a set piece in the middle of the penalty area, and Messi took the penalty and shot directly over the crossbar.

In the 75th minute, Messi dribbled the ball to the left of the frontcourt. Alba made a pass. Allende was knocked down by Brecarlo when he competed for the top in the penalty area. The referee showed the latter a red card and awarded Miami International a penalty kick. Messi scored on the right and scored on the goal, and Miami International equalized the score 1-1! In the 83rd minute, Alba passed the ball in the middle of the frontcourt to the penalty area, and Allend headed the ball in the middle of the penalty area. In the 87th minute, DePaul passed the ball on the left line on the penalty area, and Alba's shot from the penalty area missed the post on the left.

In the 88th minute, Miami International's offensive was cleared and then organized. Alba made a cross from the left of the frontcourt, Messi inserted into the left of the penalty area and scored. Miami International overtook the score 2-1!

In the 90th minute, Orlando City kicked off the ball in the middle circle, Alba intercepted the ball and sent it a straight pass. Segovia and Suarez collided with each other and broke into the penalty area and scored. Miami International expanded the score to 3-1!

The game ended soon after, and finally, Miami International reversed 3-1 at home to defeat Orlando City and advanced to the North American League Cup finals first.