Messi Marches Into First MLS Cup Final as Allende Bags Hat-Trick in Miami Rout
Lionel Messi is finally heading to an MLS Cup final after Inter Miami smashed NYCFC 5-1 in the Eastern Conference decider — but it was Argentina’s other star of the night, Tadeo Allende, who stole the limelight with a blistering first-half brace and a late third to send Miami through.
Messi wasn’t at his dazzling best and didn’t need to be. Miami’s supporting cast did the graft, Allende especially, equalling the MLS postseason scoring record as Javier Mascherano’s side blew apart a cagey NYCFC setup that lasted all of ten minutes. Once Miami woke up, it was carnage.
Allende opened the scoring with a tidy diagonal finish after a clever ball into the box, then doubled up minutes later with a brave diving header from Jordi Alba’s lofted pass. NYCFC briefly clawed back momentum when Justin Haak nodded in a set-piece, but that was as good as it got for the visitors.
After the break Miami went for the kill. Mateo Silvetti — quiet first half, electric second — slotted home from a Messi assist, Alba produced a filthy behind-the-back flick to tee up Telasco Segovia, and Allende completed his hat-trick to restore the four-goal cushion. At that point NYCFC was hanging on for the final whistle, not the comeback.
The win means Miami will host MLS Cup against Vancouver Whitecaps, a massive step for a club that has been living off Hollywood buzz more than silverware. Now Messi actually has the chance to lift the trophy he came to America chasing.
Mascherano’s men didn’t have it all their way, though. Keeper Rocco Ríos Novo looked shaky all night, nearly gifting NYCFC a lifeline before redeeming himself with a huge save on Julián Fernández. Alba was outrageous going forward but left gaps behind him. Sergio Busquets did a shift at centre-back — decent in possession, slow on the turn — while Noah Allen slogged away until his yellow card forced a change.
In midfield, Baltasar Rodríguez was quiet, Rodrigo De Paul industrious, and Silvetti — shifted into a No. 10 role — came alive when it counted. Up top, Messi fought through heavy marking and still produced an assist, but Allende was the star. A cheap loan signing from Celta Vigo, now Miami’s postseason hero. Funny how football works.
The subs played their part too. Segovia finished smartly, Ian Fray steadied the right flank, and Yannick Bright gave the midfield some calm. Luis Suárez struggled to get up to speed, but by then the job was basically done anyway.
Mascherano, meanwhile, looks a manager in full control. He benched Suárez, trusted the kids, tweaked his system mid-match — and it all clicked. Miami’s fingerprints looked like his fingerprints.
Next up: MLS Cup, at home, with Messi 90 minutes from the trophy he’s been chasing since landing in Florida. Miami couldn’t ask for much more than that.