The Leagues Cup witnessed a dramatic night as Inter Miami secured a crucial penalty shootout victory over Necaxa, though their triumph was overshadowed by star forward Lionel Messi’s early departure due to a hamstring injury. The highly anticipated match, played in Fort Lauderdale, took an unexpected turn in the opening minutes, leaving fans and commentators alike anxious about the extent of the Lionel Messi injury and its potential implications for Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup campaign.

Just eleven minutes into the contest, the Argentine maestro experienced “hamstring discomfort” and was forced to leave the field, a significant blow to the host side. Despite losing their talisman, Inter Miami demonstrated remarkable resilience, battling through adversity to ultimately emerge victorious after a captivating 2-2 draw in regular time against a determined Necaxa squad in this pivotal Leagues Cup encounter.

The match further intensified with Maximiliano Falcon’s red card in the 17th minute, leaving Inter Miami playing with ten men for a considerable period. This numerical disadvantage tested Miami’s defensive resolve, as Necaxa capitalized on the extra player, with Badaloni finding the net to give them a lead.

However, the tide turned again when Cristian Calderon of Necaxa received his second yellow card in the 60th minute, leveling the playing field to ten-on-ten. This development set the stage for a thrilling finish, as both teams pushed for a winner in the dying moments.

Late goals from Necaxa’s Ricardo Montreal and Miami’s Jordi Alba ensured the 2-2 stalemate, forcing the contest into a penalty shootout. Ultimately, Inter Miami prevailed with a 5-4 penalty shootout win, showcasing their mental fortitude even without Lionel Messi on the pitch. Post-match, manager Javier Mascherano confirmed the issue as mere “hamstring discomfort,” offering a glimmer of hope for a swift return for the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.

In another concurrent Leagues Cup fixture, Orlando City secured a vital victory, boosting their chances of advancing to the knockout phase while simultaneously eliminating Atlas from contention. Martin Ojeda’s decisive goal in the 57th minute proved pivotal for Orlando’s aspirations, underscoring the competitive nature of the tournament.

Orlando City’s Ivan Angulo initiated the scoring, and Marco Pasalic sealed their MLS football win with a late insurance goal deep into second-half stoppage time, concluding the match with a convincing performance. The Lions’ triumph, following their opening draw and penalty shootout loss against Pumas UNAM, highlighted their progression within the tournament.

Meanwhile, Atlas, who briefly leveled their contest through Matias Coccaro in the 50th minute, concluded their Leagues Cup journey without a single point. Their tournament began with a narrow 2-1 defeat to Inter Miami, a match notably influenced by a stoppage-time assist from the very same Lionel Messi whose injury dominated headlines.