Spanish
FORT LAUDERDALE, USA– Inter Miami achieved glory this Saturday by conquering the MLS Cup for the first time, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in a historic final marked by the brilliance of Lionel Messi and the farewells of Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, who are closing their professional careers by lifting a title alongside the Argentine star.
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The Chase Stadium was packed with 21,500 spectators on a sunny and hot afternoon, the perfect setting for the project led by David Beckham and the brothers José and Jorge Mas to achieve its greatest accomplishment since its debut in the league five years ago.A beginning that set the course
Inter Miami took the lead early, in the 8th minute, when a dangerous cross from the right ended with an unfortunate own goal by the Colombian Édier Ocampo, after a play built by Messi, Rodrigo de Paul and Tadeo Allende. The Messi-Allende partnership continued to generate chances, while Vancouver grew as the minutes passed and repeatedly challenged goalkeeper Rocco Ríos, who was the protagonist with decisive saves against Brian White, Emmanuel Sabbi, and Thomas Müller.Vancouver ties and almost comes back
In the extra time, Vancouver kept up the pressure and managed to tie the game at the 60th minute through Ali Ahmed, who took advantage of a collective play and a mistake by goalkeeper Ríos. Two minutes later, Sabbi was close to scoring 1-2 with a powerful shot that hit both posts, in what could have been the key play of the match.Messi Appears and Changes History
At the moment of greatest Canadian dominance, Messi recovered a ball in a dangerous area and assisted Rodrigo de Paul, who defined with class to restore the lead to Inter Miami at minute 71. From then on, the team led by Javier Mascherano controlled the pace of the game, backed by the experience of Busquets and Alba in their last professional match. In added time, Messi reappeared to assist Tadeo Allende, who sealed the match 3-1 and unleashed the celebration in Fort Lauderdale.Golden Farewells
For Busquets and Alba, Messi's former teammates at Barcelona, the triumph signified a perfect closure to their distinguished careers. Both were cheered by a fanbase that adopted them as their own from the moment they arrived at the club.Inter Miami reaches the top
The conquest of the title crowns the ambitious project that sought to replicate Guardiola's Barça style in the MLS, and which, after struggles and disappointments, finally found its reward.Technical Sheet
Inter Miami:Rocco Ríos; Fray (Weigandt 90+1), Falcón, Allen, Alba; De Paul, Busquets, B. Rodríguez (Segovia 56'); Silvetti (Bright 78'), Allende, Messi.
DT: Javier Mascherano
Vancouver:
Takaoka; Laborda, Priso (Pupe 68'), Blackmon, Ocampo; Cubas (Cabrera 82'), Berhalter, Ahmed (Gauld 68'); Müeller, Sabbi (Nelson 90+1), White.
Coach: Jesper Sørensen
Goals:
1-0 Ocampo (og, 8');
1-1 Ahmed (60');
2-1 De Paul (71');
3-1 Allende (90+6').
Incidents: MLS Cup final held at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, with 21,500 spectators.
Inter Miami, now MLS champion, writes the most important page of its young history, led by Lionel Messi and with an unforgettable ending for Busquets and Alba.
