Lionel Messi guides Inter Miami to MLS Cup triumph: Inter Miami 3 Vancouver highlights

Inter Miami’s starting eleven is without Luis Suárez once again as Javier Mascherano sticks with what’s been working.

Tadeo Allende and Mateo Silvetti will flank Lionel Messi in the attack while the Uruguayan legend again rides the bench.

What started out as a change forced on Mascherano through Suárez’s suspension has proven to be the key to unleash Miami’s attack going forward.

Thomas Muller starts...

USMNT boss Mauricio Pochettino is pitchside after flying in from Washington DC, where he watched yesterday’s 2026 World Cup draw and had a brief exchange with Alexi Lalas.

His predecessor Gregg Berhalter is also in attendance, with his son Sebastian starting in midfield for Vancouver today.

Follow the live updates here but if you want to watch it, the game is available for free on Apple TV

Lionel Messi and Thomas Müller have met 10 times and the head to head has leaned heavily in Müller’s favour.

Müller has been on the winning side in seven of those meetings, including on the sport’s greatest stage. In 2014, Müller’s Germany beat Messi’s Argentina in the FIFA World Cup Final.

He also played a central role in one of the most famous Champions League results ever, when Müller’s Bayern humiliated Messi’s Barcelona with an 8-2 win

The win probability sits at 50.5 percent in Inter Miami’s favour. But you never know what will happen on the pitch

Both teams are on the pitch and both Canadian and the United States national anthems are being played now.

(Inter Miami 0 Vancouver 0)

This is the final match of Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba as their legendary careers near the finish line. Can they sign off with a trophy, or will Müller and the Whitecaps spoil the script?

(3mins Inter Miami 0 Vancouver 0)

Allende takes the first shot of the match, sending it over the bar from the right side of the box after Miami won the second ball inside Vancouver’s area. He comes into this final with eight goals in the play offs.

(5 min Inter Miami 0 Vancouver 0)

A cross comes in from the right side for Vancouver and Miami manage to block and clear it as Müller was ready to pounce inside the box.

(8 min Inter Miami 1 Vancouver 0)

The offside trap is beaten and Allende scampers clear before trying to square the ball. Ocampo stretches to cut it out but ends up turning it into his own net. Miami strike first.

The blood is boiling here and some of the challenges are coming out strong in the middle of the pitch. Miami's Rodriguez has gone in the books for a strong challenge

(15 min Inter Miami 1 Vancouver 0)

That goal, and the manner of it, will be a real setback for the Whitecaps. It was an unlucky moment for Ocampo but they were carved open by a rapid Miami counter. That is not a good early sign for the visitors. The footwork of Messi in the tight space, the lofted ball from De Paul and the run from Allende were all good there.

(18 min Inter Miami 1 Vancouver 0)

Two yellow cards in the first 18 minutes of the game. One each. The game is being physical after Miami took that lead. Someone is going to lose the cool here. Baltasar Rodriguez booked for pushing Falcon

Miami are not taking any risks playing out from the back, with Falcon going long the moment he feels pressure.

Miami winning the second balls at the moment as Vancouver lose possession at the halfway line to Messi, who then slips a neat ball through to Allende down the right but the winger cannot pick out a teammate with his cross.

(23 min Inter Miami 1 Vancouver 0)

Messi lines up a free kick from around 25 yards but sends it straight into the keeper’s hands. Catching practice for the keeper.

(25 min Inter Miami 1 Vancouver 0)

Sabbi bursts forward for Vancouver down Jordi Alba’s side, using his pace to drive into the box. He goes down under pressure from a recovering Rodriguez, who is already on a yellow.

The referee immediately says no penalty and it is the correct call. There was not enough contact.

(29 min Inter Miami 1 Vancouver 0)

A marauding run from Falcon carries Miami up the pitch and a loose ball drops to Messi on the edge of the box. He looks to bend one from the edge of the box 20 but Vancouver swarm him and the shot is blocked and the deflection made it easy for the keeper.

(33 min Inter Miami 1 Vancouver 0)

Vancouver win a free kick on the left and Berhalter curls in a fine delivery. Brian White meets it with a glancing header but sends it straight into keeper's arms.

A first real opening for Vancouver and it comes from a set piece, an area Miami have struggled with all season.

(37 min Inter Miami 1 Vancouver 0)

Rodriguez is playing right on the edge here. He is already on a yellow card and he commits another foul moments later. Berhalters ball into the box is cleared but Miami give away yet another free kick on the left side. Jordi Alba cleared it away.

A yellow card is also shown to someone on Inter Miamis bench.

(38 min Inter Miami 1 Vancouver 0)

Jordi Alba’s clearance from the free kick does not travel far and the next ball swung in from the right causes real chaos in the box. Müller cushions it into Sabbis path and he finds himself one on one with Rios Novo, but the Miami keeper stands firm and makes a massive save.

(43 min Inter Miami 1 Vancouver 0)

For the past 15 minutes it has been all Vancouver. They are knocking on the door and Miami are sitting deep, inviting trouble. Somehow they have survived the spell so far but the pressure keeps growing.

Thomas Müller meets a ball with a header from the edge of the box, sending it toward goal, but once again Rios Novo is there to keep Miami in front.

(45 min Inter Miami 1 Vancouver 0)

Vancouver look for Edier Ocampo and he catches Rodriguez in the face with a shoulder and possibly an elbow.
That is a nasty one from Ocampo and completely unnecessary. It is close to the kind of elbow that can bring a red card.

Messi whips in a cross toward the near post and Busquets meets it with a clever flick, but it lands on the roof of the Whitecaps net. Goal kick for Vancouver.

Miami reach half time with a narrow advantage but the Whitecaps have grown steadily and looked the more likely side to find an equaliser as the half wore on. Some real thinking now for Inter Miami coach Mascherano.

Vancouver have taken control of the match ever since falling behind and they are now controlling possession and asking all the questions. Miami are pinned deep and have not found much joy on the break since going one up, even though the space is there.

A key detail in Vancouver’s attack is Müller’s movement. As he drops and drifts into pockets, Miami center back Maxi Falcon follows him rather than holding the line. That leaves his partner Noah Allen isolated in a direct matchup with Brian White.

Müller’s intelligence is opening room for Vancouver to operate. They have looked to target that duel but have not yet cracked it. Credit to Allen, who is holding his own so far.

Brilliant footwork from Messi on the halfway line sets the tone, followed by a clever pass from De Paul and a direct run from Allende. It is Eider Ocampo who gets the final touch, but the whole sequence is a smooth and flowing move from Miami.

(Inter Miami 1 Vancouver 0)

The Whitecaps get the second half underway...

(48 min Inter Miami 1 Vancouver 0)

Vancouver slice through the Miami midfield and draw a cynical foul from Falcon, who goes into the book. The Whitecaps have a free kick from edge of the box a real shooting chance.

Before Falcon’s touch, Busquets also clipped the attacker, adding to the danger of the moment.

Berhalters free kick, though, is hit too high and the opportunity is wasted.

(50 min Inter Miami 1 Vancouver 0)

The speed in this Vancouver side is causing real problems for Inter Miami, who are struggling to deal with the constant bursts in behind.

(53 min Inter Miami 1 Vancouver 0)

Noah Allen fouls Ocampo on the left and Miami concede yet another free kick. The delivery comes in and Silvetti heads it clear, but all the momentum at the start of this second half is firmly with Vancouver.

(55 min Inter Miami 1 Vancouver 0)

Vancouver are up to 68 percent possession in this second half as the first ten minutes fly by. Inter Miami are struggling to get out and are now looking to make a change.

(57 min Inter Miami 1 Vancouver 0)

Inter Miami have hardly had a look in this half but Lionel Messi comes incredibly close to doubling their lead.

De Paul bursts forward before slipping the ball to Busquets, who lifts a teasing cross into the box. Takaoka manages to get a fingertip to it and the ball loops kindly into Messis path. The 38 year old tries to float a header back over Takaoka and the recovering defenders.

It is a brilliant idea and a delicate touch, but the ball drops just inches wide of the post.

(60 Inter Miami 1 Vancouver 1)

Ahmed finally has his goal. He beats Rios Novo from close range and it’s 1-1. He has been knocking the door. However, in the build up to that goal, Sabbi picked up the ball on the right flank and ran powerfully towards goal, then we saw the brilliant hold-up play from Brian White before he rolled the ball to Ahmed on the right.

(63 Inter Miami 1 Vancouver 1)

Nearly another goal for Vancouver there. Sabbi produces a brilliant run, darting through the Miami defense before smashing a left footed effort off the post. Ahmed races in for the rebound but Miami's Falcon somehow scramble it clear.

Busquets is finding it tough in the middle of the pitch in the final game of his legendary career. He is giving the ball away cheaply and is struggling to cope with the pace and power around him.

(75 Inter Miami 1 Vancouver 1)

Messi wins the ball in the final third and passed it to Rodrigo De Paul, who finished it off calmly. The World Cup winning duo has clicked there. What a pass. What a goal

(80 Inter Miami 2 Vancouver 1)

Another change for Miami as Mateo Silvetti makes way for Yannick Bright. A sensible and defense minded decision from Mascherano as he looks to settle the midfield.

(84 Inter Miami 2 Vancouver 1)

Rodrigo De Paul’s goal has completely changed the complexion of the match.

Vancouver had been growing in confidence, but ever since Miami restored their lead they have looked firmly in control. They are slowing the tempo, managing the moments and doing everything they can to frustrate the Whitecaps.

A heavy challenge from Rodrigo De Paul on Berhalter and the referee has no hesitation in showing him a yellow card.

It took David Beckham five years to win an MLS Cup and then he lifted two in a row. Now his franchise is closing in on a first ever title in Messis third season at the club.

But there are still minutes left and the story is not finished. Can Vancouver flip the narrative in the dying stages?

(90+1 Inter Miami 2 Vancouver 1)

Messi is putting in a real shift here. He has been running, pressing, tracking back and trying to drag Miami up the pitch whenever he gets the ball.

(90+4 min Inter Miami 2 Vancouver 1)

Brilliant play from Weigandt on the right as he skips past Berhalter and draws a free kick from the Whitecaps midfielder.

That will take a few more precious seconds off the clock.

Sensational play from Messi, who brings a long ball down with stunning control and nudges it perfectly into the path of Tadeo Allende. He stays calm and slots it home and Miami now have a two goal cushion.

INTER MIAMI ARE MLS CUP CHAMPIONS 2025

Messi may not have scored but his influence has been everywhere. His magic was all over the second goal and the third. The touch, the vision, the execution — it is classic Messi whenever Miami needed it.

Thomas Muller acknowledges the Whitecaps supporters in the stands while his stony faced teammates receive their runners up medals.

Jesper Sorensen shares a brief exchange with Javier Mascherano and then pauses to speak with Sergio Busquets before making his way to the podium.

Inter Miami’s players are now receiving their medals. A delighted David Beckham is giving each and every one of them a huge hug.

Lionel Messi follows his teammates onto the podium.

He collected the MLS Cup from Commissioner Don Garber and lifted it into the air alongside David Beckham and Jorge Mas.

Inter Miami have won the 2025 MLS Cup.

Two of the standout players of their era, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba had announced that this season would be their last. The former Barcelona icons have enjoyed remarkable, success filled careers and they bring them to an end in perfect fashion, adding one more trophy to their legendary resumes.

More silverware for Lionel Messi as he is crowned the 2025 MLS Cup MVP.

Messi was involved in the opener and assisted Miami’s second and third goals. It has been a sensational season from him, arguably the greatest individual campaign in MLS history.

Here are his numbers for 2025

• 43 goals
• 26 assists
• 49 appearances
• 1 MLS Cup

What a year

𝐋𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐋 𝐌𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐈 𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐒 𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝟒𝟖𝐓𝐇 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐏𝐇𝐘