Inter Miami triumphed 3-1 over Vancouver Whitecaps at the 2025 MLS Cup
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla (December 06, 2025) — Seconds after the final whistle blew, “La Gozadera” by Gente De Zona immediately began to echo throughout the speakers of Chase Stadium as Inter Miami triumphed 3-1 over Vancouver Whitecaps at the 2025 MLS Cup on Saturday.
With pink smoke and multicolored confetti filling the air, team captain Lionel Messi hoisted the MLS Cup alongside Miami players to make club history.
Tears streamed down most players’ faces, each with a different backstory behind the universal emotion. For some, it represented coming back from a difficult injury to earn a spot in the starting 11, while for others the tears signified a new chapter in their careers.
Then, a familiar moment later emerged on the pitch, as longtime teammates Messi, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba embraced each other with the euphoria of being crowned champions together one final time.
Lionel Messi became the champion of the USA. He led Inter Miami to a historic first Major League Soccer (MLS) title. In the final, his team beat the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 at home, and Messi shone with two assists.
The clash brought together four world champions – Messi, Rodrigo De Paul and Sergio Busquets of Inter and Thomas Muller with the Vancouver team.
The Miami team took the lead in the 8th minute when Edier Ocampo scored an own goal.
After an hour of play, Ali Ahmed equalised but in the 71st minute Messi assisted De Paul for 2-1 before another Argentine, Tadeo Ayende, put an end to the dispute in the sixth minute of added time. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner was also at the heart of the decisive goal.
The trophy is Messi’s third in the United States. He lifted the League Cup in 2023, then with a 10-9 success over Nashville after a penalty shootout. Inter grabbed the regular-season gold medals in the U.S. last year.
Miami’s triumph Saturday stands as a reward for a team that head coach Javier Mascherano previously labeled “resilient,” as each member of the club made the necessary sacrifices and stepped up to reach the cup. As a unified front, each member did their part to achieve the ultimate goal.
“I think the players have had the strength to bounce back from every tough moment we’ve experienced this season. We’re heading into the final match on Saturday, it’s all or nothing. I think it’s a great reward for the work the players have put in throughout the year, for what they’ve accomplished as a group. And well, the main course is on Saturday. It will all come down to how much we want to win it. So let’s hope we wake up very hungry on Saturday,” Mascherano said on Thursday.
