A spot in the 2025 Leagues Cup quarterfinals is on the line as Inter Miami CF hosts Pumas UNAM in a decisive group-stage finale on Wednesday, August 6. The match, set for a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, pits two of North America’s popular clubs against each other in their first-ever competitive meeting, with both sides navigating the absence of a superstar player.
Both Inter Miami and Pumas enter the contest with identical records of one win and one draw, leaving them tied with five points each in their respective tournament tables. A victory in regulation would likely secure passage to the knockout rounds for either team, making this a high-stakes affair. Inter Miami is coming off a 2-2 draw with Necaxa, which they eventually won in a penalty shootout, while Pumas orchestrated a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory against Atlanta United.
The biggest headline for the home side is the absence of captain Lionel Messi. The Argentine superstar sustained a minor muscle injury in his right leg just 11 minutes into the match against Necaxa and has been ruled out for Wednesday’s game. While the club has not provided a specific timeline for his return, head coach Javier Mascherano expressed cautious optimism. “It’s a slight injury, within the bad news, it’s good news,” Mascherano stated, suggesting a lengthy layoff is not expected. Without their leading scorer, who has tallied 24 goals across all competitions, the offensive pressure will shift to veteran striker Luis Suárez and new midfield signing Rodrigo De Paul, who impressed with two assists in his last outing.
In a significant boost for Miami’s defense, center-back Maximiliano Falcón will be available for selection after his red card from the previous match was successfully appealed and rescinded by the league’s disciplinary committee.
Pumas UNAM faces a critical absence of its own. The Liga MX side will be without veteran Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas, who was sent off against Atlanta United. His suspension forces Pumas to likely turn to 17-year-old Rodrigo Parra, who had a challenging start to the domestic season. This vulnerability in goal contrasts with their potent midfield, led by Panamanian international Adalberto Carrasquilla. Carrasquilla has been a standout performer in the tournament, scoring three goals, including a brace in the dramatic win over Atlanta. His dynamic play, alongside Pedro Vite and José Caicedo, will be crucial in challenging Miami’s experienced midfield of Sergio Busquets and De Paul.
Given the defensive questions surrounding both teams—Miami has struggled to keep clean sheets and Pumas is without its top goalkeeper—many analysts anticipate a high-scoring match. Betting markets reflect this, with the over/under for total goals set at 2.5. Despite Messi’s absence, Inter Miami enters as the slight home favorite at -115 on the 90-minute money line, while Pumas is listed as a +245 underdog and a draw is priced at +285, according to CBS Sports. The match will be broadcast live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
With both clubs needing a result to advance, the growing rivalry between MLS and Liga MX will be on full display in a match defined as much by who is on the pitch as who is not.
