Aug. 28 (UPI) -- Lionel Messi seared an 88th-minute strike for a go-ahead score to lead an Inter Miami rally over Orlando City, guiding the Herons to the Leagues Cup finale.
Messi, who played for just the second time in two weeks after dealing with a hamstring issue, also scored the game-tying goal with a minute penalty shot in the 3-1 triumph Wednesday in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Midfielder Telasco Segovia scored the Herons' final goal.
"I wanted to play," Messi said on the MLS Season Pass broadcast. "Ever since I came back against the Galaxy, I felt discomfort there and didn't feel comfortable. I prepared myself to play this game because I knew how important it was.
"The opponent, it's a difficult opponent that had beaten us twice this season."
Messi and the Herons held a 55.3% to 44.7% edge in possession and 14-11 advantage in shots. They also totaled 542 passes, compared to 381 for their in-state foes.
"Honestly, in the first half, I felt a little scared," Messi said. "But in the second half, I loosened up a bit."
The Lions missed several close chances, including one on a breakaway chance from Ivan Angulo in the 23rd minute, before they finally drew first blood. Forward Luis Suarez was among several Herons players to fire close shots on the Lions net in the opening 45 minutes.
Winger Marco Pasalic put the Lions ahead when he found the net in first-half stoppage time. Striker Luis Muriel received a pass at the top of the box to start that play.
He dribbled away from the Herons net before turning and lacing a pass between several defenders, finding Pasalic. The Lions winger nearly lost the ball, which hit off his chest on a failed clearance. He finished the play with a left footed rip into the middle of the net.
The Herons scored the equalizer on Messi's 77th-minute penalty kick, which was prompted when Lions defender David Brekalo fouled Tadeo Allende in the box. Messi calmly jogged up to the spot and chipped an attempt into the right side of net to beat Lions goalie Pedro Gallese and even the score at 1-1.
Messi returned for the go ahead strike less than a dozen minutes later.
The Herons star first brought down a loose ball about 20 yards from the net. He then tapped a quick pass to left back Jordi Alba, who used his first touch to return the ball to the striker.
Messi then rifled a shot into the right side of the net, as Gallesse leaned the other way.
Suarez and Segovia used a give-and-go sequence to net the clincher in the 91st minute. Messi first sent a pass to fellow Argentine Rodrigo De Paul at midfield. De Paul then hit Segovia, who was running up the left flank. Segovia cut his dribble inside and tapped to Suarez, who used his first touch to return a pass.
Segovia then toed a shot past Gallesse.
"It was insane," Herons defender Ian Fray said of Messi. "When he gets the ball, you know something is going to happen every time he touches it. He provided again."
The Herons, who won the 2023 Leagues Cup, will take on the Seattle Sounders in the finale of the 2025 edition of the tournament at 8 p.m. EDT Sunday in Seattle.