Suarez powers Messi-less Inter Miami to 2-1 win over Tigres in Leagues Cup quarter-final

Luis Suárez delivered when Inter Miami needed him most, scoring a penalty in each half to secure a 2-1 victory over Tigres UANL in Wednesday’s Leagues Cup quarter-final. With Lionel Messi sidelined by a lingering muscle issue, the veteran Uruguayan striker stepped up to carry Miami into the semifinals.

Messi, who returned last weekend after a two-week absence to score against the LA Galaxy, was ruled out of this clash as a precaution. That left the spotlight on Suárez, and the 38-year-old proved decisive in a match that produced few clear scoring chances.

The breakthrough came in the 20th minute when Tigres defender Javier Aquino handled the ball in the area. Suárez calmly converted from the spot, but the match grew heated soon after as tempers flared between Rodrigo De Paul and Fernando Gorriarán, with Suárez intervening to diffuse the situation.



Inter coach Javier Mascherano was ejected at halftime for protesting stoppage-time decisions and watched the second half from the stands. Tigres leveled in the 67th minute through Ángel Correa, who slipped between defenders to beat goalkeeper Óscar Ustari.


But Miami regained control late on when VAR confirmed another Aquino handball in the 87th minute. Suárez again took responsibility, sending his penalty the opposite way of Nahuel Guzmán to seal the win.


With the victory, Inter keep alive hopes of reclaiming the title they first won in 2023 during Messi’s debut MLS season. Beyond the trophy, a place in the Concacaf Champions Cup is also at stake, with both finalists and the third-place finisher earning qualification.