Chaos. That is the only way to describe what went down during the Leagues Cup clash between Inter Miami and Necaxa. If you missed it, you missed a game that felt more like a movie script than a soccer match. We’re talking red cards, a shocking injury to the world’s greatest player, and a last-second equalizer that blew the roof off Chase Stadium. Honestly, it was a mess. A beautiful, stressful, 2026-style mess.
Inter Miami vs Necaxa wasn't just another group stage game. It was a survival test.
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The Messi Injury That Silenced the Crowd
The game started with high energy. Everyone was there to see Lionel Messi. Then, in the 11th minute, the unthinkable happened. Messi went down. He was clutching his hamstring after being pulled down near the penalty area. You could hear a pin drop. He was subbed off for Federico Redondo almost immediately. Just like that, the main attraction was gone.
But football is weird. Sometimes losing your best player wakes everyone else up.
Only a minute after Messi walked off, Telasco Segovia scored an absolute screamer. He took a pass from Rodrigo De Paul—who was making his presence felt early—and curled it into the top corner. 1-0. Miami was flying. For about five minutes.
Red Cards and Momentum Shifts
Then came the 17th minute. Maximiliano Falcón, Miami's center-back, saw red. A straight sending-off. Suddenly, Miami was down their captain and a defender. Necaxa smelled blood. They started dominating possession, which isn't usually their style against MLS teams.
Tomás Badaloni eventually found the equalizer for the visitors in the 33rd minute. 1-1 at the half.
The second half was just as wild.
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- Cristian Calderón got a second yellow in the 60th minute.
- The game went 10-on-10.
- The space on the field opened up like a Sunday league match.
Necaxa actually took the lead late. Ricardo Monreal silenced the home fans in the 81st minute with a clinical finish. At that point, it looked like Inter Miami was headed for a demoralizing home loss. Most fans were already checking Twitter for Messi’s injury updates rather than watching the pitch.
Jordi Alba and the 92nd Minute Miracle
You can never count out the "Barcelona DNA" in Miami. Even without Messi, they have Jordi Alba. In the second minute of stoppage time, Rodrigo De Paul sent a desperate, precise free kick into the box. Alba, of all people, rose up and headed it home.
2-2. Chaos.
Since it’s the Leagues Cup, there are no draws. We went straight to penalties. Inter Miami was perfect from the spot. De Paul, Cremaschi, Alba, and Redondo all scored. Then stepped up Luis Suárez. The veteran didn't blink. He smashed the fifth penalty into the top corner to win the shootout 5-4.
What This Means for Inter Miami and Necaxa
Miami walked away with two points, but the cost was high. The real story isn't the win; it's the hamstring. Without Messi, Miami’s tactical setup under Javier Mascherano looks vulnerable. They rely heavily on Rodrigo De Paul’s work rate now, which was evident by his two assists in this game.
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Necaxa showed they can hang with the big spenders. They finished the match with 53% possession and outshot Miami 14 to 11. They’ll feel robbed, especially after conceding that late header to Alba.
Key Takeaways for Fans:
- Monitor the Injury Report: Messi’s hamstring is the only thing that matters for the next few weeks. If he’s out long-term, Miami’s odds to win the tournament plummet.
- De Paul is the New Engine: With Messi sidelined, Rodrigo De Paul has become the most important player on the pitch for Miami. He’s the one creating chances.
- Watch the Defensive Discipline: Two red cards in one game (one for each side) shows how heated this rivalry is becoming. Don't expect "friendly" matches between these two.
If you’re looking to follow the next steps of this tournament, keep an eye on the Group Phase standings. Miami still has to face Pumas, and they’ll likely have to do it without their #10. For Necaxa, they need a win in their next outing to stay alive. The road to the knockout stages just got a lot more complicated for everyone involved.
Check the official MLS Season Pass for full replays, but honestly, the highlights of those final ten minutes are all you really need to see why people love this sport.