Luis Suárez Scores, Assists Twice in Miami’s 3-1 Win over Pumas/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Luis Suárez delivered a goal and two assists to lead Inter Miami to a 3-1 victory over Pumas in the Leagues Cup. Lionel Messi missed the match due to a leg injury but watched from a suite at Chase Stadium. With the win, Inter Miami became the first MLS team to reach the knockout stage of the tournament.
Luis Suárez + Quick Looks
- Star Performer: Suárez notched one goal and two assists in a decisive 3-1 win over Pumas.
- Messi Absent: Lionel Messi sat out with a minor muscle injury in his right leg.
- De Paul Scores: Rodrigo De Paul netted his first Inter Miami goal to level the match at 1-1.
- Penalty Power: Suárez converted a 59th-minute penalty after a Pumas handball.
- Sealing the Win: Tadeo Allende finished Suárez’s second assist in the 69th minute.
- Tournament Milestone: Inter Miami is the first MLS club through to the Leagues Cup knockout stage.
- Suárez’s Return: His goal was the first since scoring against Palmeiras on June 23.
- De Paul’s Debut Impact: In just his second appearance, De Paul added another dynamic to Miami’s midfield.
- Messi’s Role: Though sidelined, Messi supported his team from a suite at Chase Stadium.
- Pumas’ Moment: Jorge Ruvalcaba opened scoring in the 34th minute with a clinical strike.
Deep Look
Luis Suárez Sparks 3-1 Inter Miami Win Over Pumas as Messi Watches From Sideline
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — August 6, 2025
Despite the absence of Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez stepped up in spectacular fashion, scoring once and assisting twice as Inter Miami defeated Pumas 3-1 in a key Leagues Cup group stage match on Wednesday night at Chase Stadium.
Messi, recovering from a minor right leg muscle injury, watched the match from a stadium suite, missing his second straight game after getting hurt early in Inter Miami’s previous win over Necaxa. Even without their talisman, Miami had no trouble generating offense — and Suárez made sure of it.
De Paul and Suárez Connect to Level Match
After Pumas took the lead in the 34th minute through Jorge Ruvalcaba, Inter Miami needed a spark. That came via Rodrigo De Paul, who scored his first goal for the club in the 45th minute off a clever assist from Suárez. The equalizer capped an energetic first half and shifted momentum firmly in Miami’s favor.
De Paul, a close friend and World Cup-winning teammate of Messi, joined Inter Miami to play alongside the Argentine legend. The midfielder is already proving to be a valuable addition — tallying three goal contributions in two Leagues Cup matches.
Suárez Converts From the Spot
In the 59th minute, Suárez took the spotlight again after a handball by Pumas defender José Caicedo led to a penalty. The Uruguayan striker made no mistake, calmly slotting the ball home to give Miami a 2-1 lead.
It marked Suárez’s first goal since June 23, when he scored in the Club World Cup match against Palmeiras, and underscored his ongoing value as Miami’s leading man in Messi’s absence.
Allende Caps It Off
Just ten minutes later, Suárez was at it again — this time setting up Tadeo Allende, who finished coolly in the 69th minute to secure the win. It was Allende’s first goal of the tournament, and Suárez’s second assist of the night.
The win moves Inter Miami to eight points in the group stage, making them the first Major League Soccer (MLS) team to officially qualify for the Leagues Cup knockout rounds.
Tactical Execution Without Messi
Manager Gerardo “Tata” Martino’s side showed tactical maturity and fluidity, even with their captain unavailable. Miami controlled possession for much of the match, using short passes, quick movement, and midfield dominance to break down the Pumas defense.
While Messi’s absence was notable, his presence loomed large from the suite — especially given his close ties to both Suárez and De Paul. Martino has not provided a timeline for Messi’s return, describing the injury as “minor but being monitored closely.”
What’s Next
Inter Miami will now await the results of other group-stage fixtures to determine their opponent in the next round. The club’s current form — unbeaten in the tournament with dynamic attacking depth — has made it one of the clear favorites for a deep Leagues Cup run.
“I feel good, and I’m happy to help the team reach the next stage,” Suárez said after the match.
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