Inter Miami recovered from a 1-0 deficit to defeat Orlando City 3-1 and secure a place in the Leagues Cup final. Marco Pasalic put Orlando ahead in first-half stoppage time after a clearance rebounded off Maximiliano Falcón. In the 75th minute David Brekalo conceded a penalty after hauling down Tadeo Allende and received a second yellow; Messi converted the spot-kick to equalise. Messi then produced a composed finish after a one-two with Jordi Alba to give Miami the lead, and Telasco Segovia added a stoppage-time third from a Luis Suárez assist. Miami will face the Seattle Sounders in the final.
Lionel Messi scored twice as Inter Miami launched a stirring fightback in the final 13 minutes to beat 10-man Orlando City 3-1 and punch their ticket to the Leagues Cup final. Miami were staring at a semi-final defeat at 1-0 down with 77 minutes played, but Messi marked his return from a muscle injury with two crucial goals as Javier Mascherano's team rallied.
Miami struggled to make any headway early in the second half, but the game turned in the 75th minute as David Brekalo - who had already been booked - was caught on the wrong side of Tadeo Allende inside the box and hauled him down. Brekalo was shown his second yellow card, and Messi stroked the resulting penalty into the bottom-right corner for 1-1.
Orlando clung on with 10 men until the 88th minute, when Messi showed great feet inside a crowded penalty area, exchanged passes with Jordi Alba, then finished across Pedro Gallese. And there was still time for a clinching goal as substitute Telasco Segovia slotted home after being played in by Luis Suarez one minute into stoppage time. Miami's opponents in Sunday's final will be the Seattle Sounders, who will welcome the Herons to Lumen Field after beating the LA Galaxy 2-0 in Wednesday's other semi-final.
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