Inter Miami secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Tigres UANL in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals on March 15, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The match unfolded without star player Lionel Messi, who was sidelined due to injury. Luis Suarez emerged as the hero for Miami, scoring both goals for his team from the penalty spot, including the decisive winner in the 89th minute.
Miami’s manager, Javier Mascherano, was sent off at halftime, adding to the team’s challenges. Despite this setback, the Herons managed to advance to their second Leagues Cup semifinal in three years, as well as their second major semifinal this season.
Suarez’s first penalty came in the 23rd minute after Javier Aquino was penalized for a foul in the box. The match took a turn in the 67th minute when Angel Correa equalized for Tigres, bringing the score to 1-1. Tension mounted as Ivan Lopez nearly scored again for Tigres in stoppage time, with a header that hit both goalposts but failed to cross the line.
Controversial Calls and Tactical Adjustments
The late drama ensued when referee Mario Escobar reviewed a handball by Aquino, leading to Suarez’s second penalty kick. Following his ejection, Mascherano moved to the stands, where he was later seen allegedly communicating with his coaching staff via phone, a violation of rules for a coach who has received a red card.
Miami will host their next semifinal match against Orlando City, a team that has previously dominated their encounters, winning two regular-season meetings by a combined score of 7-1.
Orlando City advanced to the semifinals after a tense penalty shootout against Toluca in Carson, California. The match ended in a scoreless draw after 90 minutes, despite Toluca outshooting Orlando 15-4. Orlando’s goalkeeper, Pedro Gallese, played a crucial role, making two key saves during the shootout. He also converted the decisive seventh penalty after both teams had converted their first five attempts.
The upcoming semifinal between Miami and Orlando City promises to be a thrilling encounter, especially considering the historical performance of Orlando in their prior matchups. Fans will be eager to see if Miami can overcome the odds in the absence of Messi once again.
