Leagues Cup: Suárez Steps Up, Leads Inter Miami Past Tigres UANL

Written by Patrick Echatah

After missing two weeks due to a “minor” muscle injury he sustained in a Leagues Cup match on August 2, Messi made his return on Saturday as a substitute.

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The 38-year-old World Cup winner scored a goal in a 3-1 victory against the Los Angeles Galaxy. Despite his comeback, he did not play in the next match against Tigres, though Inter Miami still advanced in the tournament.

“We rely on how Leo feels and it wasn’t the best,” Inter assistant coach Javier Morales said. “We preferred not to take risks, not to go backward in his recovery.”

In a low-scoring match, veteran striker Luis Suarez scored the only goal from a penalty kick, securing a victory for Inter.

The win keeps the team’s hopes of winning the MLS title alive. The penalty was awarded in the 20th minute after a defender’s sliding tackle resulted in the ball hitting his arm.

In a tense match, tempers flared. After Miami’s Rodrigo De Paul and Uruguay’s Fernando Gorriaran got into a verbal altercation, Luis Suarez stepped in to de-escalate the situation.

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The on-field drama extended to the sidelines, where Inter coach Javier Mascherano received a red card for angrily protesting to officials about the length of injury time.

Forced to watch from the stands, Mascherano saw Tigres tie the game in the 67th minute when Angel Correa scored an equalizer, getting past two defenders and the Miami keeper, Oscar Ustari.

After a second handball by Aquino in the 87th minute was confirmed by VAR, Suarez scored another penalty for Miami, sending the ball left as the goalkeeper, Nahuel Guzman, went right.

Following a scoreless draw in Carson, California, Miami secured a semi-final match against their Florida rivals, Orlando City. Orlando City advanced after defeating Liga MX champions Toluca FC 6-5 in a penalty shootout.

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