Vancouver Whitecaps had previously defeated Inter Miami in both matches, with scores of 2-0 and 3-1, during this season's CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals (a tournament equivalent to Europe's Champions League). In this rematch, the Canadian team initially started stronger. However, with ample space for transitional play, Inter Miami ultimately made the difference.

In the 8th minute, Messi initiated an attack on the right wing, then passed to Rodrigo De Paul. The Argentine midfielder chipped the ball to Tadeo Allende, who broke the offside trap and sprinted to the right edge of the penalty area. Instead of shooting for the far corner, Allende delivered a low cross that deflected off Edier Ocampo's foot, changing direction and finding the net.

Chase Stadium erupted. Inter Miami played this match at home due to their superior performance against Vancouver during the regular season.

Messi (right) and teammates celebrate the opening goal in Inter Miami's victory over Vancouver in the MLS Cup final on the evening of 6/12. Photo: Inter Miami

After Inter Miami's early goal, both teams engaged in a back-and-forth contest. Similar to their matches earlier in the season, Vancouver dominated with a midfield-controlling, fast-paced attacking style. The visitors controlled 63% of possession, took 4 shots, with three on target in the first half, compared to Inter Miami's three shots and one on target.

Vancouver's opportunities became clearer from the latter half of the first half. In the 34th minute, the score would have been 1-1 if Brian White had not headed directly into goalkeeper Rios Novo's hands following a cross from Sebastian Berhalter. Four minutes later, Thomas Muller passed to Emmanuel Sabbi, who shot from about 6 meters, but Novo again saved for Inter Miami.

Vancouver maintained their dominance after halftime and were rewarded with an equalizer in the 60th minute. White passed to the left edge of the penalty area for Ali Ahmed, who ran onto it and shot, the ball hitting goalkeeper Novo, deflecting off the post, and bouncing into the net.

Two minutes after the equalizer, Vancouver nearly took the lead in a rare sequence of events. Sabbi dribbled through the center and unleashed a powerful shot that struck both posts but stayed out. Subsequently, defender Maximiliano Falcon cleared the ball, which hit Sabbi's foot, rebounded, struck the post again, and went out.

De Paul shined at a crucial moment in the MLS Cup final on the evening of 6/12. Photo: Inter Miami

Despite being under pressure, Inter Miami did not have many counter-attacking opportunities. However, they unexpectedly took a 2-1 lead in the 71st minute. Messi dribbled through midfield and delivered a through ball to Rodrigo De Paul, who beat the offside trap. After breaking free, the former Atletico Madrid midfielder fired a diagonal shot past the visiting goalkeeper.

After their second goal, Inter Miami deliberately slowed down the pace. Messi and his teammates also sought to frustrate their opponents by controlling possession, pressing, and narrowing attacking spaces. Vancouver pushed forward, but could not create as many chances as before. In the 90+6th minute, the match concluded as Inter Miami sealed a 3-1 victory. Messi provided his second assist by passing to Allende, who shot past goalkeeper Takaoka.

This result marked Inter Miami's first MLS Cup in history, and their third title overall, following the Leagues Cup 2023 and the Supporter' Shield 2024. All these titles were secured after signing Messi in 7/2023. Previously, the young club (founded in 2018) was not highly regarded in MLS.

For Messi personally, this also represents a new milestone. He has now won every major club-level title possible in his career, from La Liga, Champions League, Ligue 1, Copa del Rey, Leagues Cup, to the MLS Cup. He also solidified his status as the most decorated player in football history (48 titles, compared to second-place Daniel Alves with 43).

Thanh Quy