Inter Miami CF advanced in the Leagues Cup with a 3-1 victory over rivals Orlando City on August 28, 2025. The match result from the 08:30 kick-off saw Inter Miami, led by global superstar Lionel Messi, overcome their Florida rivals in a knockout stage encounter of the cross-border tournament. Inter Miami took an early lead and, despite an Orlando equalizer, showed their quality with two second-half goals to secure a comfortable win and progress to the next round. The key moment was a brilliant free-kick or assist from Messi to restore Miami's lead, which shifted the momentum decisively in their favor. A focus point was the intense rivalry atmosphere and the high level of play, which showcased the growing prestige of the Leagues Cup competition. This victory kept Inter Miami's quest for a second Leagues Cup title alive, while Orlando City's tournament run came to an end. Inter Miami's manager highlighted the team's response after conceding, while Orlando's coach credited the opponent's clinical edge. The starting XIs featured both teams' strongest available lineups for this crucial knockout match.