Inter Miami beat Tigres UANL 2–1 in the 2025 Leagues Cup quarterfinal at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, with Luis Suárez scoring both Miami goals from the penalty spot. Tigres equalized through Ángel Correa in the second half, but Suárez’s 89th-minute penalty sent Inter Miami into the semifinals. ESPN’s match summary for Inter Miami vs Tigres UANL lists the final score as 2–1.
The match stood out because Lionel Messi did not play, and Miami still found a way past one of Liga MX’s strongest clubs. Reuters reported that Suárez converted twice from the spot as Inter Miami advanced despite Messi’s injury absence.
Quick Timeline: Inter Miami vs Tigres UANL
The match timeline was straightforward but dramatic:
- 23rd minute: Luis Suárez scored a penalty to give Inter Miami a 1–0 lead.
- Halftime: Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano was sent off.
- 67th minute: Ángel Correa scored for Tigres UANL to make it 1–1.
- 75th minute: Inter Miami goalkeeper Óscar Ustari made an important save to deny Correa.
- 89th minute: Suárez scored his second penalty of the night to give Inter Miami a 2–1 win.
That sequence tells the story of the game clearly: Miami struck first, Tigres fought back, and Suárez settled the match late.
Why This Quarterfinal Mattered
Inter Miami vs Tigres UANL was a 2025 Leagues Cup quarterfinal between an MLS club and one of Mexico’s most established Liga MX sides. The winner moved into the semifinals, making the match more than a normal cross-league meeting.
There was also recent history between the two clubs. Tigres had beaten Inter Miami 2–1 in the 2024 Leagues Cup group stage, so the 2025 quarterfinal gave Miami a chance to respond to that previous defeat. Inter Miami’s official match preview against Tigres also framed the game around that previous meeting.
For Inter Miami, the challenge was even greater because Messi was unavailable. That changed the shape of the game. Miami could not rely on Messi’s creativity or finishing in the final third, so the team needed other players to handle the pressure in decisive moments.
First Half: Suárez Gives Inter Miami the Lead
The first major moment came in the 23rd minute. Inter Miami won a penalty, and Luis Suárez stepped up to score.
That goal gave Miami a 1–0 lead and allowed the home side to manage the game from a stronger position. It was not a dominant first-half performance built on constant attacking pressure. Instead, Miami took advantage of a key moment and made it count.
Suárez’s penalty was especially important because of Messi’s absence. Without Messi on the field, Miami needed an experienced forward to take responsibility in the penalty area. Suárez gave them exactly that.
The first half ended with Miami ahead, but the match still felt far from settled. Tigres had enough quality to respond, and the narrow scoreline meant one mistake or one sharp attacking move could change the game.
Halftime Incident: Mascherano Sent Off
One of the notable moments came at halftime, when Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano was sent off.
That added another layer of difficulty for Miami. They already had to play without Messi, and now they had to navigate the second half without their manager on the sideline.
For Tigres, the situation created an opportunity. Miami had the lead, but the game was still close, and the emotional balance of the match could easily shift after the break.
Second Half: Tigres Fight Back Through Correa
Tigres found their equalizer in the 67th minute. Ángel Correa scored to make it 1–1, bringing the Liga MX side back into the match.
The goal changed the pressure immediately. Miami were no longer protecting a lead. They had to respond in a knockout match without Messi and without Mascherano on the sideline.
Correa remained dangerous after the equalizer. In the 75th minute, Óscar Ustari made an important save to prevent Tigres from taking the lead. Inter Miami’s official match recap highlighted Ustari’s stop as one of the important moments before Suárez’s late winner.
Late Winner: Suárez Scores Again
The decisive moment came near the end of normal time. In the 89th minute, Suárez scored his second penalty of the match to put Inter Miami back in front.
It was a high-pressure moment. The game was tied, the clock was close to 90 minutes, and a miss would have left Miami with little time to recover. Suárez converted again, giving Miami a 2–1 lead when it mattered most.
That second penalty became the winning goal. Tigres had worked their way back into the game, but Miami’s composure in the final minutes decided the quarterfinal.
Did Lionel Messi Play Against Tigres UANL?
No, Lionel Messi did not play in Inter Miami’s 2–1 win over Tigres UANL.
His absence was one of the biggest storylines of the match. Miami had to beat Tigres without their most influential player, which made the result more significant for the team.
The win showed that Inter Miami could still handle a difficult knockout match without Messi, even if the performance was built more on resilience and decisive moments than attacking dominance.
Why Luis Suárez Was the Decisive Player
Luis Suárez was the difference between the two teams. He scored both of Inter Miami’s goals and converted both penalties under pressure.
His first penalty gave Miami control in the first half. His second came in the 89th minute, when the match was level and the pressure was highest.
Suárez did not need to dominate the entire match to be decisive. He simply had to finish the chances that mattered most, and he did.
What Tigres Did Well
Tigres did not lose because they were completely outplayed. They recovered from the early penalty, equalized in the second half, and created enough pressure to make the match uncomfortable for Miami.
Correa’s goal gave Tigres a real chance to turn the game around. His later opportunity, saved by Ustari, could have changed the result if it had gone in.
The frustration for Tigres is that they did enough to make the match competitive but still lost because of two penalty decisions and Suárez’s finishing.
Head-to-Head Context: 2024 and 2025 Meetings
The Inter Miami vs Tigres UANL timeline is still short, but the two recent meetings have already created an interesting Leagues Cup story.
In 2024, Tigres beat Inter Miami 2–1 in the Leagues Cup group stage. In 2025, Inter Miami answered with a 2–1 win in the quarterfinals.
That gives the matchup a balanced recent record: Tigres won the first meeting, while Inter Miami won the knockout rematch.
The 2025 result was the more important of the two because it came in an elimination match and sent Miami into the semifinals.
Final Takeaway
Inter Miami vs Tigres UANL was decided by three scoring moments: Suárez’s 23rd-minute penalty, Correa’s 67th-minute equalizer, and Suárez’s 89th-minute winning penalty.
Inter Miami won 2–1, advanced to the Leagues Cup semifinals, and did it without Lionel Messi. Tigres pushed back and made the second half difficult, but Miami had the cleaner decisive moments.
For Inter Miami, it was a win built on composure. For Tigres, it was a narrow knockout defeat shaped by penalties, missed opportunity, and a late goal that left little time to respond.
FAQs
What was the final score of Inter Miami vs Tigres UANL?
Inter Miami beat Tigres UANL 2–1 in the 2025 Leagues Cup quarterfinal.
Who scored for Inter Miami against Tigres?
Luis Suárez scored both Inter Miami goals. Both were penalties, one in the 23rd minute and one in the 89th minute.
Who scored for Tigres UANL?
Ángel Correa scored for Tigres UANL in the 67th minute.
Did Lionel Messi play against Tigres UANL?
No, Lionel Messi did not play against Tigres UANL.
What competition was Inter Miami vs Tigres UANL in?
The match was part of the 2025 Leagues Cup quarterfinals.
