Messi's Masterclass: Inter Miami Clinches Historic MLS Cup Triumph Over Vancouver Whitecaps
6 December 2025
Match Report: Inter Miami Clinches Historic MLS Cup Title
Key Moments That Sealed the Title
Inter Miami crowned MLS Cup champions for the first time in its history, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 on Saturday night in the final.
The Argentine Lionel Messi stood out over Vancouver's veteran German star Thomas Muller, earning Inter Miami a third trophy, after the 2023 Supporters' Shield and the 2024 Leagues Cup.
Inter Miami, the Eastern Conference champions in the United States, opened the scoring with an own goal by Eder Campo after eight minutes.
Vancouver, Western Conference champions, equalized with a goal by Ali Ahmed in the 60th minute.
Messi created the second and third Inter Miami goals, with assists from Rodrigo De Paul and Tadeo Allende in the 71st and 90+6 minutes.
Inter Miami leaned on veterans Messi, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, but the real spark came from young winger Tadeo Allende, who fired a shot over the bar in the third minute, and moments later, Vancouver's Ocampo turned the ball into his own net.
Vancouver sought to level with several dangerous efforts by forward Brian White, who headed straight at the goalkeeper in the 19th minute, and Messi answered with a shot saved in the 25th.
Roko Rios, Inter Miami's goalkeeper, saved a certain chance for Brian White in the 33rd minute, and five minutes later, Rios blocked a shot from Ali Ahmed.
Meanwhile, Busquets nearly scored in the 47th minute with a header off a superb cross from Messi.
In the first 15 minutes of the second half, both teams traded sharp chances; Sebastian Berhalter wasted a Vancouver opportunity, Messi answered with a shot, before Ali Ahmed drilled the ball home to level in the 60th.
Luck deserted Vancouver repeatedly, as the crossbar and upright denied two efforts by Emmanuel Sabi in the 62nd, before Inter Miami punished with a second goal by De Paul following a superb through ball from Messi in the 71st.
Vancouver tried to recover from the shock, seeking again an equalizer; Emmanuel Sabi threatened Miami's goal with a fresh attempt in the 84th, and a few seconds later Jordi Alba shot wide.
The referee added seven minutes of stoppage time, during which Allende scored the third in the 96th minute with a shot from inside the box after another gift from Lionel Messi, while German Muller faded from the contest.
Mr. Messi did not just win; he rewrote the final's script.
And Vancouver learned that even the post knows the ball better than their defense.
