Lionel Messi scored his ninth goal in six games to help Inter Miami beat Philadelphia Union to reach the Leagues Cup final.
The World Cup winner scored Miami’s second goal in a 4-1 victory, despite the ankle injury he sustained a day before the game during a training session.
Lionel Messi led Inter Miami will face Nashville SC in the Final that will be played on Sunday, 20th August by 02:00 BST.
This result meant that Inter Miami will play CONCACAF Champions Cup regional tournament next season.
This is also likely to open up a route into FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup which will commence in 2025.
Inter Miami boss Gerardo Martino, confirmed that: “Our goal was to qualify for international competition next season and we’ve done that.”
“Now we have to prepare to win this tournament, which has us feeling very motivated and confident.”
This was Miami’s sixth consecutive win ever since Lionel Messi joined the team in July and he has the opportunity to prepare for the 42nd final of his career.
The final will have a World Cup-style knockout tournament containing teams from Mexico and Major League Soccer in the US.
Nashville on the other hand will host the match after they booked their place in the matchup with a 2-0 win over Monterry.
Lionel Messi
Lionel Andrés Messi also known as Leo Messi, is an Argentine footballer who was born on 24 June, 1987 and plays as a forward for MLS side Inter Miami and captains the Argentina national team.
The Argentine is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. Messi has won a record seven Ballon d’Or awards and a record six European Golden Shoes, and in 2020 he was named to the Ballon d’Or Dream Team.
How were match venues decided?
All the games took place in the United States or Canada, this means that all Liga MX teams played away to their MLS opponents.
However, matches between two Mexican clubs were played at a neutral venue decided by the Organising Committee.
Games between two American teams were played at the home of team that finished higher in the final standings of the 2022 Supporters’ Shield.
This was also with the exception of the Round of 32, when group winners played at home.
Where is the 2023 Leagues Cup final being played?
In line with the tournament regulations, the final will be played at the Nashville’s Geodis Park, as The Boys In Gold finished ninth in the final standings of the 2022 Supporters’ Shield, three places higher than Inter Miami (12th).
While the third place playoff will see Liga MX’s Monterrey face Philadelphia Union, with the the American team hosting, as has been the case all the way through the Leagues Cup.
