Ft Lauderdale, FL- Inter Miami defeated Pumas UNAM 3-1 in its final group match of the 2025 Leagues Cup on Wednesday night at Chase Stadium to clinch a spot in the knockout round of the tournament. Pumas took an early lead with a goal , but Inter stormed back with 3 unanswered goals from Luis Suarez, Adeo Allende and Rodrigo De Paul to push them to victory. Messi supported his team from the sidelines as he was forced to sit the game out after suffering a hamstring injury against Necaxa on Aug. 2. Miami is the first MLS club to advance through to the tournament’s knockout stages .

Miami’s side knew it needed a win to ensure a spot in the quarterfinals, and in the absence of Miami’s star player Lionel Messi, The others turned on the class with timely goals and defending in the crucial stages.

“It’s a great joy. We achieved our objective of qualifying, and I think we did it well, playing a great game despite the difficulties we faced,” Javier Mascherano said after the game

Inter Miami will next return to MLS play and travel to face rival Orlando City on Sunday night at 8:00pm EST.