Messi Injured, But Suarez and De Paul Fire Inter Miami into Leagues Cup Quarter-Finals

Inter Miami’s latest Leagues Cup match saw Argentine captain Lionel Messi injured in just the eighth minute. He had to leave the field with a hamstring injury. It was later learned that Miami would be without Messi for several matches, although they did not specify the exact time and number of matches. Rodrigo de Paul and Luis Suarez gave Miami victory today (Thursday) without this main star.

Miami beat Mexican giants Pumas 3-1 in a match to secure a place in the quarter-finals of the Leagues Cup. Although Pumas took the lead early in the match, the first half ended in a draw. Javier Mascherano’s team later scored two more goals to secure the victory. De Paul, Suarez and Tadeo Allende scored one goal each for Miami.

In the 34th minute of the match, Jorge Ruvalcaba gave Pumas the lead with a well-organized counterattack. De Paul brought Miami back into the match before the break. He assisted in his second match in the American Major League Soccer (MLS) after leaving Atletico Madrid. Today, the Albiceleste star made his name on the scoreboard. Suarez had a dominant performance in the end, contributing to one goal and three scores.

First, a great pass from Yannick Bright went to Suarez’s chest. He calmly put it down and put it into the Pumas’ net. Then, in the 59th minute, the former Uruguayan star gave the lead with a spot kick. The referee blew the penalty whistle when Pumas defender Telasco Segovia was brought down in his own box. Suarez confused the Pumas goalkeeper with a combination of Panenka and chip shot.

The former Barcelona star found Tadeo Allende in the 70th minute with a pass from the defender. He didn’t miss that chance from a short distance. Benjamin Cremaschi and Allende missed good chances towards the end. Otherwise, Miami’s victory could have been even bigger. However, the 3-1 victory put the Florida club into the last eight of the Leagues Cup.