Inter Miami 5-1 NYCFC summary: score, stats and highlight | MLS playoffs

Inter Miami are Eastern Conference champions!

Next Saturday, Inter Miami will compete for MLS Cup after a resounding victory over New York City FC in the Eastern Conference final. 

A hat trick from Tadeo Allende proved that Miami are no one-man team and goals from Tadesco Segovia and Mateo Silvetti made the game safe. Next Saturday the Herons have the chance to clinch a first MLS championship in team history. 

MLS

Why is Inter Miami guaranteed to host MLS Cup?

For the first time in team history, Inter Miami compete in MLS Cup and they will be on familiar ground at Chase Stadium. It's a landmark achievement for the team, but why do Miami get home advantage?

Inter Miami host MLS Cup

Free-scoring Inter Miami close in on 100 goals.

This five-goal haul for Inter Miami takes them to a league-record 98 goals across the regular season and postseason. And they've still got one more game to go: MLS Cup. 

Inter Miami thrash NYCFC in Eastern Conference final.

What a performance from the Herons. It hasn't always looked convincing under Javier Mascherano but the young coach has come into his own in recent months, building a team that looks absolutely unstoppable in current form. 

Full time! Inter Miami will host MLS Cup

That's it! No added time for this one and a resounding 5-1 victory for a swaggering Inter Miami. 

For the third game in a row, Inter Miami have scored four goals. The introduction of Tadeo Allende and Mateo Silvetti into the starting XI has provided some much-needed industry to a team with abundant talent. 

Inter Miami hit four in the Eastern Conference final!

It's Miami's game-winning goal and it came from their own penalty box. 

A lightening-quick counterattack ended with a sumptuous interplay between Alba and Segovia. Its party time in Chase Stadium!

Another Miami change. Mateo Silvetti departs, with Luis Suarez coming on for the final minutes. 

Javier Mascherano is prowling the technical area, guiding his players through these crucial final stages. 

Matt Freese launches a long pass forward towards Hannes Wolf on the right wing but Maxi Falcon does brilliantly to dive across and intercept.

Falcon has been one of Miami's most-improved players down the stretch and he's done well again today. 

NYCFC starting to push more men forward now, knowing that they need at least two goals just to take this game to extra time. They have made opportunities when pressing high but Miami are looking more confident since that third goal. 

Another change for Miami as Tadesco Segovia comes on to replace Rodriguez on the flank. 

Still no sign of Luis Suarez. 

With their two-goal lead restored, Miami are playing with some more of their usual swagger. Messi is dropping deep to build the play and the home crowd are in buoyant mood. 

Mateo Silvetti combines with Lionel Messi. Again.

Inter Miami broke up-field and the ball fell to Lionel Messi in the NYCFC box. He coolly slid the ball to young star SIlvetti, who fired low and hard to beat Matt Freese. 

Nearly a second for New York!

Fernandez gets in behind the MIami backline and pulls the ball back across the face of goal. Wolf is there at the back post to strike but Rios Novo pulls out a brilliant full-stretch save. 

Brilliant play by Hannes Wolf, nutmegging Sergio Busquets and spreading the ball out to Fernandez on the right. He tries to make space for a shot but resorts to thumping the ball at a Miami defender. 

Wolf has looked bright since his introduction at halftime. 

Fans in great voice at Chase Stadium.

Inter Miami are now just 30 minutes away from a first ever MLS Cup appearance. This could be a historic night for the hosts and the supporters and enjoying every moment of it. 

Another change for NYCFC now. Its Ojeda who comes off, to be replaced by Julian Fernandez. Fresh legs for the visitors as they push for a leveler. 

Lionel Messi swings in a corner from the left, headed clear by Thiago Martins. 

The ball is recycled back to Messi but the Miami captain was in an offside position and the flag is up. Frustrating night for Messi, so far. 

With those changes it looks like Busquets will slide back into defense for Miami. Yannick Bright will look to bring a bit more physicality to the midfield. 

Double change for Inter Miami. Weigandt and Allen are off, Yannick Bright and Ian Fray come on. 

Both players were on a yellow card. 

Maxi Moralez curls in a cross from the left. Justin Haak leaps into Rios Novo, sending the Inter Miami goalkeeper clattering to the floor. 

NYCFC hit the crossbar in the resulting goalmouth scramble but the play is pulled back for that free kick. 

Inter Miami go up the other end and Jordi Alba curls in a brilliant cross from the left. Tadeo Allende has a free header at the back post but he can't hit the target and the chance goes begging. 

Huge chance for Allende to grab his hat trick. 

Nico Fernandez does well to pressure Noah Allen and pinches the ball. The NYCFC forward drives in on goal, only to be hauled down by Allen. 

But the referee has already blown his whistle, penalizing Fernandez for an earlier foul on Allen. Free kick to Miami, Allen was fortunate there. 

Big chance squandered for NYCFC!

Terrible mistake from Rias Novos hands the ball to Maxi Moralez, who has a chance to shot but decides to pass instead. His pass is underhit and Miami get players back to clear the danger but Moralez will be regretting that decision. 

Comfortable start for Inter Miami, playing the ball around at the back. 

Foul called on Rodriguez on the halfway line, free kick to New York. 

Big news at the break was an NYCFC change, with Hannes Wolf coming on to replace Jonathan Shore. It's an attack move, one that will look to exploit the space down Inter Miami's flanks. 

NYCFC get the second half underway!

We're back to the action at Chase Stadium...

Tempers flare in all-action first half.

Conference finals are always a fascinating watch and this one has been no difference. We had four yellow cards in the first 30 minutes and will likely have plenty more before the full time whistle. 

Halftime recap: NYCFC fires back with Justin Haak.

New York City FC will have felt a little unlikely to find themselves 2-1 down they reduced the deficit with a thumping header from defender Justin Haak. The delivery was a moment of typical quality from Maxi Moralez and the visitors are well and truly back in the game. 

Halftime recap: Tadeo Allende fires Inter Miami ahead.

A clinical finish from the Miami wideman, latching onto a long ball from Sergio Busquets and thrashing the ball home from a tight angle. 

Inter Miami lead NYCFC at the break.

A first half brace from Tadeo Allende has Inter Miami in the lead but a fine header from Justin Haak pulled the visitors back into the game. It's all still to play for at Chase Stadium. 

Halftime in Miami.

That's it for the first half of this Eastern Conference final. Inter Miami have the lead but NYCFC are very much in this game. 

Brilliant delivery from De Paul from the left but there's no one to connect for Miami in the middle and the ball is cleared. That might be that. 

Poor pass from Thiago Martins hands Inter Miami the chance to break. The visitors get enough numbers back to clear the danger but the ball bounces out for a Miami corner kick. 

One final chance for the hosts to deliver...

Inter Miami are playing out the final minutes of the first half fairly calmly. 

Given how the goals have fallen, both teams will probably be fairly happy with a 2-1 halftime score. 

Good pressure from Lionel Messi on the halfway line forces a poor pass from Tayvon Grey. 

We haven't seen much on the ball from Messi this half, but he's put in a real shift for the team. 

We're going to have six minutes of added time after an action-packed first half. 

Corner kick to Miami, taken by Messi and played deep to the back post.

The ball is cleared but Miami recover possession and look to build again from the halfway line. 

Watch: NYCFC get one back with towering header.

Justin Haak doesn't score many goals but there aren't many better times to get his first postseason goal. 

That De Paul break comes to nothing but Miami are back in possess with Allende sprinting down the right. He gets to the byline and tries to find Silvetti in the middle but his cross is cut out. 

NYCFC come forward with Ojeda down the right but Allen does brilliantly to dispossess the wideman. 

He finds Rodrigo de Paul and Miami are back on the attack. 

You sense that goal has completely changed the complexion of the game. 

The play had been fairly even between the two teams but Miami had been relentless in front of goal. With Haak's strike, the visitors are back in it in the Eastern Conference final. 

Haak attack for NYCFC.

The big defender connects brilliantly with a Maxi Moralez free kick and powers a header past Rios Novo. What a moment for the NYCFC homegrown. 

Brilliant running from Rodrigo de Paul down the right flank, getting to the box and clipping in a cross. The ball lands at the feet of Marcelo Weigandt but his effort is dragged wide of the target. 

It's not been a particularly aggressive game but we've had four yellow cards in little over 30 minutes. 

As it stands there's two NYCFC forwards and two Miami defenders in the book. Could be see one of the teams reduced to ten men before this game is over?

Noah Allen (Inter Miami)

Another booking. This time it's Allen, penalized for dragging down Maxi Moralez. 

There been an impressive level of off-ball work from Inter Miami so far, with every player on the field working to prevent NYCFC working their way back into the game. There are gaps in this Miami team but they are hiding it well so far. 

Nico Fernandez (NYCFC)

The NYCFC forward battles with Maxi Falcon on the halfway line and resorts to hauling him down. The officials notice and Fernandez becomes the latest player into the book. 

NYCFC come forward again, finding Nico Fernandez on the edge of the box. He takes the ball wide and makes space for a left-footed strike but Rias Novo saves easily. 

What next for NYCFC? Ahead of the match head coach Pascal Jansen spoke about the need to not get overawed by the occasion. His team will have to dig deep from here...

Inter Miami haven't been particularly good through the opening quarter of this game but two moments of quality have proved the difference. Good passes from Busquets and Alba, with two clinical finishes from Tadeo Allende. 

Another goal for Tadeo Allende.

That's seven playoff goals for Tadeo Allende and it looks like he can't miss!

His second of the night is a brilliant, if very direct, Inter Miami goal. Jordi Alba had space on the left flank and picked out Allende running into the box. The forward got his head on the pass and glanced the ball into the top corner to double the Miami lead. 

Tensions flared after that Moralez yellow card, with a patch of pushing and shoving from both teams. Marcelo Weigandt was right in the midst of it and the Inter Miami defender may find himself in a bit of trouble here. 

Maxi Moralez (NYCFC)

The veteran attacker is booked for a clumsy challenge on Miami defender Falcon. A little harsh on the Argentine. 

Watch: Tadeo Allende scores from Sergio Busquets assist.

Here's the first goal of this Eastern Conference final, a long ball forward from Busquets and a brilliant finish from Allende. Incredibly, that's his sixth goal of this postseason. 

You sense that goal is a real blow for NYCFC, who had acquitted themselves well in the opening 15 minutes. Pascal Jansen will urge his side to keep calm but that dramatically changes the task at hand for the visitors now. 

Tadeo Allende opens the scoring for Inter Miami.

It was just a long pass forward from the hosts but Tadeo Allende showed great spirit to battle for the ball and fashion an opening. He had a tight angle on the right but his rifled shot flew past USMNT goalkeeper Matt Freese and into the back of the net. 

It's Messi who curls in the free kick and finds the head of Silvetti on the penalty spot. The young striker makes good connection with his head but there's not enough pace on the effort to test Freese in goal. 

Good footwork from Messi down the middle, drawing a foul. Free kick to Inter Miami from the left, around 35 yards from goal. 

NYCFC team in the hunt for second MLS Cup.

Pascal Jansen may be a first-year coach in MLS but what he's done in this postseason has been truly remarkable. Little was expected of this team heading into the playoffs but they are one win from an MLS Cup appearance. 

Very even first ten minutes between the two teams, with NYCFC probably getting the better of the early openings. 

Lionel Messi is dispossessed and NYCFC take the opportunity to break. The visitors try to counter on Miami but the attack breaks down. 

Messi stays down after appearing to get an accidental whack to the mouth. No foul and Messi soon gets back on his feet. 

Inter Miami XI to take on NYCFC.

Javier Mascherano has started with the Lionel Messi - Mateo Silvetti partnership up front, leaivng Luis Suarez on the bench. 

Another break forward from NYCFC. This time it's Ojeda on the right who makes progress but the final ball is disappointing again.

Moment of promise from NYCFC as Maxi Moralez has space to break through the Miami midfield. He tries to find a runner in behind but his pass is well overhit and it rolls out for a Miami goal kick. 

Inter Miami are controlling the ball but NYCFC's close shape is making it difficult to progress down the middle. 

First foray forward from Miami as Messi finds Alba in space on the left. The Spaniard has room for a cross but his delivery is easily claimed by Freese in the NYCFC goal. 

The hosts will be hoping to take control of the game from the start, knowing that an early goal will force New York City FC to come out of their defensive shape. 

For NYCFC, they will be looking to frustrate Miami and make the field tight. 

And we're off!

Inter Miami get the game underway at Chase Stadium. Here we go...

The teams are out!

The players of Inter Miami and New York City FC take to the field at Chase Stadium. Who will make themselves a legend tonight?

Can Mateo Silvetti be a game-winner for Inter Miami?

He only be 19 years old but young forward Mateo Silvetti has managed to displace Luis Suarez and form a productive partnership with Lionel Messi. He scored this stunning goal in the Eastern Conference semifinal win over FC Cincinnati last week and he retains his place tonight. 

We're nearly ready for kick-off at Chase Stadium.

The stands are packed as Inter Miami prepare to take on NYCFC. 

This is, without doubt, the biggest game in Inter Miami history and could put them into MLS Cup for the very first time. With Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba set to retire at the end of the season, is this Lionel Messi's best chance to win a championship?

New York City making the noise at Chase Stadium.

There are plenty of NYCFC fans down in South Florida for this Eastern Conference final. New York City played their first game in MLS in 2015 and secured a first MLS Cup triumph in 2021, becoming the first New York team to win the biggest prize. 

The traveling fans will be making plenty of noise in Miami this evening. 

Carlos Alcaraz at Chase Stadium, supporting Inter Miami.

The tennis star is at Chase Stadium tonight and he appears to be pulling for Inter Miami. Ahead of the game, Alcaraz embraced his compatriots Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, along with Luis Suarez and Rodrigo de Paul. 

NYCFC out to continue playoff journey.

How do you prepare to take on Inter Miami with an in-form Lionel Messi? For New York City FC, it's all about sticking to the game plan and stepping up to the occasion. 

“Either you have to step up and make sure that the quality in possession stays at a very high level in order to control the game," NYCFC head coach Pascal Jansen explained. 

"If that is not the case, or slightly different, you have to make sure there's a solid defensive organization that keeps the goal clean and make sure you use the other tools—and one of them is the transition—to go forward and also be decisive."

New Yorker Justin Haak ready for Inter Miami challenge

Now in his seventh season with New York City FC, Justin Haak is a true homegrown star. He spent his entire youth career with the team and has - apart from time on loan to Hartford Athletic - played professionally for NYCFC alone. 

Haak would sorely love to lead his hometown team into MLS Cup. 

Soccer

How many goals has Lionel Messi scored for Inter Miami?

For most teams in MLS, any one of Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets and Rodrigo de Paul could be the main star. But in South Florida, all of those illustrious names are playing second billing to Lionel Messi. 

He's had a very impressive 2025 but his postseason form is truly out of this world. 

Lionel Messi's 2025 record

Inter Miami team news confirmed.

The Herons have stuck with the 19-year-old Mateo Silvetti up front, leaving Luis Suarez on the bench from the start. Silvetti has forged a devastating partnership with Lionel Messi over the last two games and provided the energy and speed that Miami's veteran stars need. 

Recap: Dogged NYCFC dump Philadelphia.

New York City FC booked their place in the Eastern Conference final with a hard-fought win over Philadelphia Union last weekend. The Union were Supporters' Shield champions but their multifaceted attack couldn't break down the NYCFC defensive structure and a single goal from veteran Maxi Moralez was enough to see Pascal Jansen's side through. 

Recap: Inter Miami thrash Cincy in the East.

With kick-off at Chase Stadium now just 45 minutes away, let's take a look back at how these two teams got here. For hosts Inter Miami the Eastern Conference semifinal was one of the best performances of the season, putting a fancied FC Cincinnati to the sword. 

Are NYCFC underdogs?

“That's not a word that I've been using."

“That's something that has been used by the outside world. It is what it is. I think we have earned the right to be in this final, and we’re going to give everything we have to get a good result against Miami again. It’s no different from all the games we’ve played so far in the playoffs.”

New York City FC team news to face Inter Miami.

Here it is, the team to take on Miami this evening. No major shocks for the visitors, who are still without leading goalscorer Alonso Martinez. In his place, winger Nico Fernandez is expected to deputize as a No. 9 once again. 

USMNT goalkeeper Matt Freese will look to replicate his Eastern Conference semifinal heroics. 

Inter Miami players arrive.

After a shaky start to the season Inter Miami have looked like a real team in recent weeks and that growth has shown on the field. The Eastern Conference semifinal was a resounding 4-0 win over FC Cincinnati and the Herons look ready to do it all again against NYCFC. 

MLS

Lionel Messi’s most decisive week with Inter Miami: two futures await

By pretty much every available metric, Lionel Messi's arrival in Miami has been a triumph. He has elevated the standard of play, put in jaw-dropping performances and proved to be a commercial pull that has amplified the league around the world. 

The one question marks is over his trophy haul, which does not yet contain the MLS Cup. Is this year his best chance for a championship? It's all on the line tonight...

Big moment for Lionel Messi in MLS

Inter Miami boss is tight-lipped on team selection.

"Yes, we're clear on how we're going to play. It's not my way to let the players know who's going to play until the last day."

"I think that's the best way to keep everyone focused and engaged in the match because I still maintain the same thing. It's not only the eleven who start that are important, but also the rest of the team. Especially in these kinds of stages, the most important thing is that everyone has to be alert because we're going to need everyone."

New York in the house.

New York to Miami is a well-trodden path and the players, coaches and the supporters of NYCFC will be making the hop down to South Florida for tonight's Eastern Conference final. NYC go into the game as underdogs but they have done so for much of the postseason so far, putting both Charlotte FC and Philadelphia Union out of the hunt. 

Pretty in pink.

The Herons only began life in MLS a few years ago but already their neon-pink kits are iconic around the world. Much of that is to do with the presence of a certain Argentine but there is undoubtedly something distinctly 'Miami-ish' about those vibrant jerseys. 

Welcome to this Inter Miami - NYCFC live feed!

It's finally here. Two and a half years after Lionel Messi arrived in South Florida, Inter Miami are finally in contention for MLS Cup. 

The Herons meet New York City FC in the Eastern Conference final at Chase Stadium. Will Miami continue the march to a first-ever championship or can New York City pull off a shock on the road?

I'm Will Gittins and I'll be taking you through all of this evening's action. Away we go!