MIAMI, Aug 21, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Luis Suarez scored a penalty in each half 
to give Inter Miami a 2-1 victory over Tigres UANL on Wednesday, stepping up 
to fill the void after Lionel Messi was ruled out of the Leagues Cup quarter-
final clash.

Messi, who has battled a "minor" muscle injury since a Leagues Cup group 
match on August 2, returned Saturday after a two-week absence, scoring a goal 
after coming on as a substitute in a 3-1 win over the Los Angeles Galaxy.

However, the 38-year-old World Cup winner was ruled out against Tigres as 
Inter advanced in the cross-border club competition for teams from Major 
League Soccer and Mexico's Liga-MX.

In a duel that produced few scoring chances, veteran Uruguay striker Suarez 
was the difference as Inter kept alive their hopes of regaining the title 
they won in 2023, during Messi's first season in MLS.

Things swung Miami's way in the 20th minute when Javier Aquino slid to 
intercept a cross and the ball hit his left arm in the area.

The referee awarded the penalty and the 38-year-old Suarez converted.

Tempers flared, with Suarez moving to calm things down after Miami teammate 
Rodrigo De Paul and Uruguayan compatriot Fernando Gorriaran exchanged words.

Inter coach Javier Mascherano was sent off at half time, receiving a red card 
for heated protestations to officials after injury time dragged on past what 
had been indicated.

Mascherano watched from a front row of the stands when Tigres grabbed their 
equalizer in the 67th minute, Angel Correa slipping between two defenders and 
beating Miami keeper Oscar Ustari.

Another handball by Aquino in the 87th minute, confirmed by VAR, gave Miami 
another penalty and Suarez converted again, this time going to left as 
goalkeeper Nahuel Guzman dived in the opposite direction.

Miami's game with Tigres was one of four Leagues Cup quarter-finals set for 
Wednesday.

Mexico's Toluca face Orlando City before Los Angeles Galaxy host Pachuca, 
while the Seattle Sounders take on Puebla at home.

There's more at stake than the Leagues Cup trophy.

Both finalists and the third-place match winner will qualify for the Concacaf 
Champions Cup, with the Leagues Cup champion securing direct entry to the 
Champions Cup round of 16.