Inter Miami CF on Wednesday night qualifed for the 2025 Leagues Cup knock-out stage after beating Pumas UNAM 3-1 in its final group game encounter without their captain Lionel Messi.
Messi didn’t play the encounter at the Chase Stadium as a result of a hamstring injury he sustained against Necaxa on Aug. 2.
The Argentina forward celebrated each goal from the sidelines as he was forced miss the game due to injury.
Despite the early goal from Pumas, Inter Miami won the game, thanks to goals from Luis Suárez, Rodrigo De Paul and Tadeo Allende.
Meanwhile, Javier Mascherano’s side concluded the initial phase of the competition with eight points.
They defeated both Atlas and Pumas, and drawing against Necaxa before earning the additional point by winning a penalty shootout 5-4.
The new Leagues Cup format sees clubs play for points during the group stage to earn a ranking in a league-specific tables.
Inter Miami won the inaugural edition of Leagues Cup two years ago, before falling in the round of 16 stage against the Columbus Crew last year.