Inter Miami win MLS Cup, Messi has 2 assists in win over Vancouver

December 6, 2025 Admin

Lionel Messi set up two late goals as Inter Miami beat Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the 2025 MLS Cup Final on Saturday at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

MORE — MLS Cup winners, all-time

Miami struck early but Vancouver was the better side for a large portion of the game and equalizer through Canadian international Ali Ahmed.

MORE — Messi’s career numbers, accolades

But Messi stole the ball off a Vancouver midfielder to set up Rodrigo De Paul’s go-ahead goal and then made a classy pass to cue up Tadeo Allende’s insurance goal in the 3-1 win.

MORE — Messi’s MLS stats

Inter Miami now have an MLS Cup to go with a Leagues Cup title and a Supporters’ Shield, all of which have come with Messi leading the side. This particular trophy will also be the last one for both Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, who are retiring after this season.

Messi, Beckham win together as names still carry in MLS

Major League Soccer’s unbelievable rise in around three decades came to a fitting conclusion in the last MLS Cup before this summer’s World Cup in the United States. A league that blasted off following the first Stateside World Cup now has some of the biggest names in the world on its rosters including, of course, the biggest. And the fact that Lionel Messi has shown pride in the league and delivered in almost every way is a huge victory for the league’s renown.

It also show something else — that as much as the league has grown in quality due to its terrific academy products like Ricardo Pepi and Tyler Adams as well as platforming of young stars from South America like Miguel Almiron, Thiago Almada, and Jhon Duran, there’s no substitute for good old fashioned megastars. Thomas Muller’s space on Vancouver’s roster might’ve not been necessary to add interest to Messi, Suarez, Alba, De Paul, and Busquets trying to help Beckham win a title, but it along with Heung-min Son’s move to LAFC raised more eyebrows.

And like Beckham and Thierry Henry earlier this century or Zlatan Ibrahimovic last decade, the best players in the world put butts in seats. It may be the last stop before retirement for them but it doesn’t mean that insecure fans should be put off by notions of the barbs of that R word. When Miami reloads from the exits of Alba and Busquets — and potentially Suarez — they’ll be sure to bring in a committed name that wants to win something. Unless it’s Mascherano stepping out of the technical area and piling on the Bengay, it’ll be another positive for Major League Soccer.

Inter Miami vs Vancouver Whitecaps final score: 3-1

Edier Ocampo o.g. 8′, Ali Ahmed 60′, Rodrigo De Paul 71′, Tadeo Allende 90+6′

Tadeo Allende goal — Inter Miami 3-1 Vancouver Whitecaps

Madness in Fort Lauderdale. Javier Mascherano races onto the pitch and hug a crying Jordi Alba after the Barca defender helped cue up Miami’s third goal.

Alba gets it to Messi, who plops a delightful pass in front of Tadeo Allende for an insurance goal.

Rodrigo De Paul goal — Inter Miami 2-1 Vancouver Whitecaps

Andreas Cubas stalls in possession and Lionel Messi just takes the ball away from him.

Messi sends Rodrigo De Paul toward goal and the former Atletico Madrid man buries his chance.

Vancouver subs

Ahmed exits for Ryan Gauld in the 68th minute, and Joedrick Pupe takes the spot of Priso-Mbongue.

Caps are buzzing

Vancouver clatters both posts and then another for added effect, as they are dominating the game and should be ahead 2-1.

Ali Ahmed goal — Inter Miami 1-1 Vancouver Whitecaps

This was coming for the visitors.

Brian White gets an entry past and holds off Falcone, who’s in his own head, and plays it wide to Ali Ahmed.

The Toronto-born Canadian international beats Rios Novo and we’re tied up.

Now Javier Mascherano really needs an answer.

Dangerous free kick for Vancouver

Vancouver drops Ali Ahmed with a shoulder and sees a yellow while conceding a free kick from 22 yards.

Berhalter sails his kick over the goal.

Halftime — Inter Miami 1-0 Vancouver Whitecaps

Vancouver had more of the ball and more consistent danger but Miami’s cashed in a chance via deflection and are 45 minutes from their first MLS Cup.

Rios Novo busy

Vancouver have a corner, and it’s recycled back into the mix where Thomas Muller nods it onto the path of Sabbi at the back post.

Sabbi takes a touch and lashes a leaping shot from close range that smacks into the chest of Miami keeper Rocco Rios Novo.

Now Muller loops a header toward the line and Rios Novo leaps to collect it and keep it in front of the line.

USMNT’s White showing danger

He already had a chance come up short and now Brian White nods a cross into the arms of the keeper as Vancouver bids to tie the game.

We’re 34 minutes into the MLS Cup Final and Miami lead 1-0.

Dangerous free kick for Messi

Emmanuel Sabbi trips while turning his dribble outside the Vancouver 18, and the ball hits his hand.

It’s not a great effort, as Messi spins it over and around the wall at the expense of power and ‘Caps keeper Yohei Takoka makes a comfortable catch.

Vancouver Whitecaps own goal — Inter Miami 1-0 Vancouver

A second break of the game for Miami winds up in the back of the net. Messi’s at the start of it with some tricky ball play, and Miami produce great danger.

Tadeo Allende races down the right side and tries to cut a pass across the box to a wide-open Mateo Silvetti, who was likely to score, and Edier Ocampo has to try something.

That something becomes an own goal and the hosts now lead at Chase Stadium.

Inter Miami lineup

Rios Novo, Fray, Falcon, Busquets, Allen, Alba, Silvetti, De Paul, Rodriguez, Messi, Allende

Vancouver Whitecaps lineup

Takaoka, Ocampo, Blackmon, Priso-Mbongue, Laborda, Berhalter, Cubas, Sabbi, Muller, Ahmed, White

MLS Cup Final preview

Miami have been steamrolling foes over the past two rounds, clobbering FC Cincinnati 4-0 before pasting New York City FC 5-1, and Javier Mascherano’s men are hopeful of giving David Beckham his first MLS Cup as an owner after winning two as a player with the LA Galaxy (2011, 2012).

Messi is eyeing one more World Cup appearances and has shown few signs of slowing down in MLS. The 38-year-old won the Golden Boot this season and has now amassed an eye-popping 77 goals and 42 assists in 87 games for the Herons since arriving in 2023.

Meanwhile, Vancouver’s 63 points finished in second place out west due only to tiebreakers. The Whitecaps had one fewer win than San Diego FC despite superior goals, goals allowed, and goal differential.

The 36-year-old Muller has found MLS to his liking, too, posting nine goals and four assists in 12 matches across all competitions for the ‘Caps.

Throw in Vancouver’s pair of wins over Miami in the tournament play last Spring, and there’s reason to think this match could go in any direction despite the 3,407 miles from British Columbia to a half-hour away from South Beach.

Inter Miami team news, focus

It’s not all about the best player to play the game, as winger Tadeo Allende has been red hot and Luis Suarez has been coming off the bench. Rodrigo De Paul and Sergio Busquets give the Herons elite experience in the center of the park and Jordi Alba delivered two assists in the Eastern Conference final. Former USL Championship Final MVP goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo is between the sticks for Miami.

QUESTIONABLE: David Ruiz (hamstring), Ryan Sailor (knee)

Vancouver Whitecaps team news, focus

Sebastian Berhalter has been a star in Jesper Sorensen’s midfield, boasting four goals and 10 assists this season. Fellow USMNT forward Brian White is the leading scorer with 18 goals, but Muller’s production has certainly put the focus on him. Tristan Blackmon’s men a stud at the back and will return with vigor after a surprising suspension for failing to leave the conference semifinal in a timely fashion cost him the Western Conference final.

OUT: Ranko Veselinovic (knee), Sam Adekugbe (achilles), Belal Halbouni (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Daniel Rios (calf), Sebastian Schonlau (calf)

Inter Miami vs Vancouver Whitecaps prediction

Vancouver is fantastic but this is a long way from home in a league whose travel often favors the home team in a big way. Berhalter, Busquets, and De Paul will look to get under each other’s skins and Muller will have his moments but Messi has been on a mission and it’s difficult to predict against the GOAT. He’s left no doubt about his big-game acument after last season’s playoff stumbles, posting multiple goal contributions in three of Miami’s five playoff games this season and failing to score in just one — instead grabbing an assist as Miami blasted NYCFC 5-1. Inter Miami 3-1 Vancouver Whitecaps.

How to watch Inter Miami vs Vancouver Whitecaps live, stream link and start time

Kick off time: 2:30pm ET Saturday (December 6)

Venue: Chase Stadium — Fort Lauderdale, Florida

TV Channel: FOX

Streaming: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV

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