Inter Miami Triumphs Over Tigres UANL in Thrilling Leagues Cup Quarterfinal Clash

Fort Lauderdale, FL – August 21, 2025 – Inter Miami CF secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Liga MX powerhouse Tigres UANL in the Leagues Cup 2025 quarterfinals at Chase Stadium on Wednesday night, advancing to the semifinals. Despite the absence of star captain Lionel Messi due to a lingering muscle injury, the Herons showcased resilience, with Luis Suárez emerging as the hero by scoring twice from the penalty spot.

The match, which kicked off at 8:00 PM ET, was a high-stakes encounter between two of the tournament’s heavyweights. Inter Miami, riding momentum from a 3-1 group stage win over LA Galaxy, faced a formidable Tigres side led by Argentina’s Ángel Correa, who has been a standout with four goals in the tournament. The game was marked by intense action, physical play, and dramatic moments, including a red card to Inter Miami’s coach Javier Mascherano for using a phone to give instructions.

First Half: Suárez Strikes Early

The game started with a 10-minute delay, but both teams quickly found their rhythm. Inter Miami struck first in the 23rd minute when Jordi Alba was fouled in the penalty area, earning a penalty. Luis Suárez stepped up and calmly converted, giving the Herons a 1-0 lead. The goal energized the Chase Stadium crowd, who were eager to see their team advance despite missing their talisman, Messi.

Tigres responded with aggression, with Jesús Garza earning a free kick in Miami’s half, but the Herons’ defense, anchored by Tomás Avilés and Jordi Alba, held firm. The first half saw tempers flare, with Tigres’ Telasco Segovia receiving a yellow card for a reckless foul just four minutes into the match. Inter Miami maintained their lead going into the break, controlling 55.9% of possession compared to Tigres’ 44.1%.

Second Half: Tigres Equalize, Suárez Seals the Win

Tigres came out strong in the second half, with Correa leveling the score in the 67th minute with a well-taken goal, briefly shifting momentum. The equalizer came after a sustained period of pressure from Tigres, who capitalized on a defensive lapse. However, Inter Miami regrouped and continued to create chances, with Suárez and Matías Rojas testing Tigres’ goalkeeper Nahuel Guzmán.

The turning point came in the 89th minute when Inter Miami earned another penalty after a foul on a surging run by Robert Taylor. Suárez once again stepped up, slotting the ball past Guzmán to restore Miami’s lead at 2-1. The goal sparked wild celebrations among the home fans. Tigres nearly equalized in stoppage time when Edgar Lopez’s header struck both posts, but the Herons’ defense held firm to secure the victory.

Key Moments and Controversies

The match was not without drama off the pitch. Inter Miami’s coach Javier Mascherano was shown a red card before the second half for communicating instructions via phone, a violation of Leagues Cup rules. Additionally, Jordi Alba was forced off in the second half with a leg injury, raising concerns for the Herons’ upcoming semifinal match.

Despite these setbacks, Inter Miami’s depth shone through. Leonardo Campana, who tied the club’s all-time scoring record with 29 goals in the previous meeting against Tigres, provided a constant threat, while Julian Gressel and Matías Rojas contributed with key passes and defensive work.

Head-to-Head Context

This was the second meeting between Inter Miami and Tigres UANL in Leagues Cup history. In their previous encounter on August 4, 2024, Tigres claimed a 2-1 win in the group stage, with Juan Pablo Vigón scoring a late winner. Inter Miami’s victory on Wednesday avenged that loss and marked their first win against Tigres, updating their head-to-head record to 1 win for Inter Miami, 1 win for Tigres, and 1 draw.

What’s Next?

With this win, Inter Miami advances to the Leagues Cup semifinals, where they will face the winner of the quarterfinal between CF Pachuca and Toronto FC. The match is set for August 25, 2025, at Chase Stadium, with kickoff details to be confirmed. Tigres, meanwhile, exit the tournament but will return to Liga MX action, aiming to build on their strong Leagues Cup performance.

Match Statistics

• Possession: Inter Miami 55.9%, Tigres UANL 44.1%

• Shots on Goal: Inter Miami 5, Tigres UANL 3

• Shot Attempts: Inter Miami 10, Tigres UANL 9

• Yellow Cards: Inter Miami 2, Tigres UANL 3

• Corner Kicks: Inter Miami 7, Tigres UANL 2

• Saves: Inter Miami 1, Tigres UANL 4

Quotes

• Luis Suárez (Inter Miami Forward): “We knew this was going to be a tough match without Leo [Messi], but the team showed character. We’re here to defend our title, and this win is a big step forward.”

• Robert Siboldi (Tigres UANL Coach): “We gave everything, but those penalties made the difference. I’m proud of the team’s fight, and we’ll take this energy back to Liga MX.”