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Inter Miami vs. NYCFC score: MLS Cup playoff result, stats as Messi wins Eastern Conference to reach MLS Cup final

Kyle Bonn

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Inter Miami vs. NYCFC score: MLS Cup playoff result, stats as Messi wins Eastern Conference to reach MLS Cup final image

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Lionel Messi will play for his first MLS Cup trophy as Inter Miami triumphed in the penultimate step, winning the Eastern Conference final 5-1 over NYCFC.

After contributing to all four goals in the 4-0 win over FC Cincinnati in the conference semifinal, Messi was less of a factor here, with hat-trick hero Tadeo Allende taking advantage of the attention Messi garners to send the Herons into the title match.

Allende scored the first two goals of the match, putting Inter Miami in control by the half-hour mark. NYCFC defender Justin Haak struck with his head to bring the visitors a goal back as halftime graced Chase Stadium.

Early in the second half, Rocco Ríos Novo made an outrageous save to prevent substitute Julian Fernández from drawing NYCFC level, and that was the end of their chance at a spot in the final.

Seconds later down the other end, Messi assisted Mateo Silvetti for Inter Miami’s third with 22 minutes remaining to restore the two-goal lead. Jordi Alba's incredible assist gifted Telasco Segovia an opening for Inter Miami's fourth in the final minutes, and Allende sent Chase Stadium into a frenzy one minute from full time as he secured his triple on the counter to send Inter Miami into the title match in style.

Inter Miami will now host the MLS Cup final against either San Diego FC or the Vancouver Whitecaps, as they finished above both Western Conference finalists in the overall regular-season table.

Neither Messi nor Inter Miami has ever won an MLS postseason crown, having failed to do so last year despite winning the Supporters’ Shield for the regular-season championship. Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets will have one more match in their legendary careers, as they are set to retire at the end of the season, which will come to an end one way or another at the end of their next game.

AllSportsPeople followed the Inter Miami vs. NYCFC match live, providing score updates, commentary, and analysis.

Inter Miami vs. NYCFC final score

 ScoreGoal scorers
Inter Miami5Allende (14', 23', 89'),
Silvetti (68'),
Segovia (83')
NYCFC1Haak (37')

Location: Chase Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
Referee: Jon Freemon

Starting lineups:

Inter Miami (4-3-3, right to left): 34. Novo (GK) — 57. Weigandt (Fray, 58'), 37. Falcon, 32. Allen (Bright, 58'), 18. Alba — 7. De Paul, 5. Busquets, 11. B. Rodriguez (Segovia, 72') — 21. Allende, 10. Messi, 24. Silvetti (Suarez, 82').

NYCFC (4-4-2, right to left): 49. Freese (GK) — 24. Gray, 13. Martins, 80. Haak, 34. Raul — 26. Ojeda (J. Fernandez, 60'), 32. Shore (Wolf, 46'), 22. O'Toole, 21. O'Neill — 7. N. Fernandez, 10. Moralez.

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Inter Miami vs. NYCFC stats

Inter MiamiStatNYCFC
12Shots5
6Shots on target4
2.34Expected goals0.44
49%Possession51%
377Accurate passes387
5Corners2
21Fouls19
4Yellow cards4

Inter Miami vs. NYCFC live updates, highlights from MLS Cup playoffs

FULLTIME: Inter Miami 5-1 NYCFC

There's no added time, and the match is brought to an end. Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are headed to the 2025 MLS Cup final!

Messi will have his chance to play for a league title, as Inter Miami obliterate NYCFC in the final 25 minutes of the match. It was close early in the second half, and the game could have been completely different had Rocco Rios Novo not made that outrageous save to preserve their one-goal lead.

Instead, the Herons soar into the MLS Cup final, and they are guaranteed to host the title match next weekend.

89th min: GOAL! INTER MIAMI! THE PARTY STARTS IN SOUTH FLORIDA AS TADEO ALLENDE GETS HIS HAT-TRICK!

He's clean through on goal on a wonderful through-ball from deep in the Inter Miami half, and he chips Matt Freese for his eighth goal of the 2025 playoffs! That's an MLS postseason record!

87th min: Yannick Bright picks up a silly yellow card for dragging down an NYCFC player in midfield after Luis Suarez had a shot blocked and the opponents were building a counter-attack.

83rd min: GOAL! INTER MIAMI! TELASCO SEGOVIA SCORES TO PUT THE GAME AWAY, BUT THE GLORY GOES TO THE LUDICROUS ASSIST FROM JORDI ALBA!!!!!

Inter Miami run on the counter, and Alba receives a vertical ball at the top corner of the six yard box. Instead of taking a shot from a very tight angle, Alba delivers an absurd back-heel assist to Segovia, which finds the Argentine all alone for an easy finish past Matt Freese!

The Herons are going to the MLS Cup final!

82nd min: With time winding down and NYCFC looking meek, Luis Suarez enters the match to replace Inter Miami goal scorer Mateo Silvetti.

73rd min: Justin Haak picks up a yellow card, NYCFC's third of the match, and the sixth overall.

68th min: GOAL! INTER MIAMI! FROM THE HUGE SAVE TO A GOAL ON THE OTHER END, INTER MIAMI RESTORE THE TWO-GOAL LEAD!

Lionel Messi gets it with his back to goal at the top of the penalty area, and he squares it to Marco Silvetti who finishes off the chance from just right of the spot!

66th min: Chance, NYCFC! AN ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE SAVE FROM ROCCO RIOS NOVO! Hannes Wolf gets to the end line down the left edge of the penalty area, and delivers a WONDERFUL cutback threaded all the way through the penalty area to Julian Fernandez wide open at the far post.

The NYCFC substitute delivers a beautiful curling shot destined for the top corner, but Novo produces one of the most unbelievable diving saves you'll ever see!

63rd min: A yellow card is shown to Kevin O'Toole for clipping Lionel Messi from behind.

57th min: The first two Inter Miami substitutions enter the match, as Ian Fray comes on for the booked Marcelo Weigandt, and Yannick Bright takes over for the equally cautioned Noah Allen. Sergio Busquets moves back to the defensive line alongside Maxi Falcon.

Shortly after, Julian Fernandez enters for NYCFC, replacing Agustin Ojeda.

53rd min: Chance, NYCFC! TAYVON GRAY HITS THE CROSSBAR! Off an NYCFC free-kick, Justin Haak barrels into Inter Miami goalkeeper Rocco Novo and spills him to the turf, leaving the ball to fall right to the Jamacian at the far post. His first-time redirect smashes the woodwork and comes out!

While it appeared for quite a while that the chance would have counted, the referee eventually informs the players that he had blown the whistle for a foul on Haak's contact with the goalkeeper.

51st min: Chance, Inter Miami! Tadeo Allende nearly has his hat-trick, but his header is wide! A cross from the left is right on a platter to Allende at the far post, and the Argentine launches himself into the air and makes very good contact...but the ball flashes wide of the woodwork!

49th min: Maxi Moralez is whistled for a foul on Noah Allen, which ignites NYCFC head coach Pascal Jansen who thinks Moralez was through when Allen dragged him back. The referee got this one right though, as Moralez fouled Allen by yanking him back first to put himself in position to be pulled by the waist.

Luis Suarez begins warming on the touchline.

2nd half kickoff: They're back under way in Floriday, where NYCFC have made a lineup change for the final 45 minutes. Hannes Wolf, who started the conference semifinal win over Philadelphia, comes on to replace Johnny Shore.

HALFTIME: Inter Miami 2-1 NYCFC

Inter Miami seemed well on their way to the MLS Cup final with two quickfire goals in the middle of the first half, but Justin Haak's strike to pull NYCFC one back made this one interesting once again.

It has been a very even match on the run of play, but Inter Miami have been more crisp in the final third, with their deliveries and their finishing, troubling Matt Freese on a number of occasions. Still, they have to be on alert thanks to Haak's header which has the margins thin at the break.

Something to keep an eye on is the constant jawing between aging Argentines Lionel Messi and Maxi Moralez who have been chirping each other most of the match.

37th min: GOAL! NYCFC! THE VISITORS HAVE LIFE AS JUSTIN HAAK BRINGS NYCFC A GOAL BACK!

Maxi Morales delivers a free-kick from deep on the right flank, and Haak finds himself free at the near post, rising high and powering a thumping header into the back of the net! Game on!

33rd min: A fourth yellow card of the half is shown to Inter Miami defender Noah Allen. This one is the softest of the bunch, as he just got into a 50/50 challenge with an opponent who fell to the turf. There's not much in that, really.

The referee is clearly getting frustrated with the physical play and trying to put an end to it.

31st min: This match is getting testy. Nico Fernandez picks up a yellow card for grabbing Maxi Falcon by the arm and throwing the Inter Miami over his shoulder.

25th min: Jordi Alba goes down in a ton of pain after a tussle with an NYCFC defender, and looks to be in a TON of pain as he points to his left hand or wrist. Could he have dislocated a finger while hand-fighting? It looks to be very bad for a moment, and then suddenly he's fine, up and pointing to teammates while yelling instructions.

What on Earth was that?

23rd min: GOAL! INTER MIAMI! TADEO ALLENDE HAS HIS SECOND OF THE GAME, AND SEVENTH OF THE PLAYOFFS! AN INCREDIBLE GOAL!

Off a slow restart, Jordi Alba delivers a PERFECT ball from deep in midfield straight to Allende's head on the penalty spot, and the Inter Miami forward rises high like a salmon to head it in past Matt Freese! It's a sensational goal!

20th min: Maxi Moralez is the first player into the referee's book tonight, having elbowed Maxi Falcon.

Shortly after, while the game is stopped for the booking, there's a bit of handbags. Marcelo Weigandt also picks up a yellow card for his actions during the scuffle.

14th min: GOAL! INTER MIAMI! TADEO ALLENDE OPENS THE SCORING FOR INTER MIAMI! Matt Freese's goal has been breached!

A deep ball from Sergio Busquets is slightly behind dropping in the bucket for Allende on the run, but the winger's control header takes a fortunate bounce off Raul and falls right back into his lap, and he takes the chance well to finish past the USMNT goalkeeper! That was so awkward by the NYCFC defender marking Allende!

13th min: Chance, Inter Miami! Mateo Silvetti comes close to scoring as he rises high to meet a cross at the top of the six-yard box, but he hits it right at Matt Freese who stands his ground and makes the easy save! That needed a better finish!

7th min: The opening stages of this match have been cagey. Inter Miami had an early half-chance which Matt Freese smothered easily. Since then, NYCFC have held much of the possession, but have not found much space to play through in the Inter Miami midfield.

Kickoff: They're under way at Chase Stadium! Will this be the last Inter Miami match at this venue before they open their Freedom Park location next season? Or will they have one more game next weekend with a trophy on the line?

Will Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba play their final match, or will they get one more to finish their careers before retirement?

Inter Miami vs. NYCFC: Pre-match commentary, analysis, more

15 mins to kickoff: Lionel Messi has already set the single-season MLS record for goal contributions in one season, having scored 35 goals and assisted 20 more across the 2025 regular season and playoffs.

Can he add to his total tonight to help Inter Miami into the MLS Cup final, or will the Herons fall short once again short of the goal?

30 mins to kickoff: The Inter Miami lineup is finally available, and there are no changes from the lineup that ran away with a 4-0 win in the Eastern Conference semifinals against FC Cincinnati. Luis Suarez remains on the bench.

45 mins to kickoff: Javier Mascherano told MLS broadcaster Jake Zivin before the match that Inter Miami's aggression in the playoffs has been something they are working on.

1 hour to kickoff: We're still waiting on Inter Miami's lineup, but we have NYCFC's XI. The only change head coach Pascal Jansen has made is that Aiden O'Neill takes over in midfield from Hannes Wolf, which is a defensive change to the lineup.

1 hour 15 mins to kick: Lionel Messi and his friends have arrived at the stadium for tonight's match!

1 hour 30 mins to kick: NYCFC goalkeeper Matt Freese has established himself as the No. 1 starter for the U.S. National team. He has been sensational recently, but keeping Lionel Messi at bay will be quite the test ahead of next summer's World Cup, and Mauricio Pochettino will surely be watching tonight.

2 hours to kickoff: Lionel Messi, at 38 years old, is racking up milestones as he continues to shine for Inter Miami. The Argentine legend reached 1,300 goal contributions in his career after four in the Eastern Conference semifinal win over FC Cincinnati.

Inter Miami vs. NYCFC kick off time

The 2025 MLS Eastern Conference final kicks off from Chase Stadium on Saturday, November 29 at 6 p.m. Local time in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Here's how that time translates across North America:

 DateKickoff time
Eastern TimeSat, Nov. 296 p.m. ET
Central TimeSat, Nov. 295 p.m. CT
Mountain TimeSat, Nov. 294 p.m. MT
Pacific TimeSat, Nov. 293 p.m. PT

Inter Miami vs. NYCFC lineups, team news

Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano made the bold decision to sit Luis Suarez in the semifinal against FC Cincinnati paid off, as his replacement Mateo Silvetti scored a goal in a 4-0 win. Suarez is likely to be on the bench today again as he manages his chronic knee issue.

The only lineup question for Mascherano today is whether to go with Marcelo Weigandt or Ian Fray at right-back, with the latter returning to training from injury.

David Ruiz is training separately as he returns from a hamstring injury, while Ryan Sailor remains out with a knee issue.

Inter Miami starting lineup (4-3-3): Novo (GK) — Weigandt, Falcon, Allen, Alba — De Paul, Busquets, B. Rodriguez — Allende, Messi, Silvetti.

Inter Miami subs:  Ustari (GK), Lujan, Aviles, Fray, Bright, Segovia, Picault, Obando, Suarez.

Talisman striker Alonso Martinez suffered a knee injury while on international duty a few weeks ago and remains out after having meniscus surgery. As such, they're relying on 38-year-old club legend Maxi Moralez who scored in the semifinal upset over the Supporters' Shield winners.

Keaton Parks has been out since the summer after having surgery to address a history of blood clot problems. 

NYCFC starting lineup (4-4-2): Freese (GK) — Gray, Martins, Haak, Raul — Ojeda, Shore, O'Toole, O'Neill — N. Fernandez, Moralez.

NYCFC subs: Romero (GK), Cavallo, J. Fernandez, Wolf, Tanasijevic, Murray, Carrizo, Ilenic, Reid.

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Editorial Team