Inter Miami needed their nerve, their experience, and a little bit of magic from Luis Suárez to advance past Tigres UANL in one of the more dramatic Leagues Cup quarterfinals in recent memory. The final score of 2-1 in favor of the home side barely tells the full story of a match that swung back and forth at Chase Stadium before Suárez tucked away his second penalty of the night just a minute from time.
With Lionel Messi absent from the lineup, questions lingered before kickoff about whether Miami could handle the pressure without their biggest star. Suárez answered those questions himself.
Final Match Score and Quick Facts
Before diving into the full timeline, here is a quick snapshot of everything you need to know about the match.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Result | Inter Miami CF 2-1 Tigres UANL |
| Date | Thursday, August 21, 2025 |
| Venue | Chase Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida |
| Competition | Leagues Cup 2025 Quarterfinal |
| Attendance | 18,597 |
| Referee | Mario Escobar |
| Weather | Clear, 29°C |
Complete Match Timeline: Minute by Minute
First Half Action (0′ to 45’+)
The opening exchanges were cagey, with Tigres looking to establish control and Miami trying to find early rhythm in front of their home crowd.
4th minute: Yellow Card. Telasco Segovia picked up the first booking of the night after catching an opponent late in midfield. A nervy start for the young Miami midfielder, who settled down afterward.
23rd minute: Goal! Inter Miami 1-0 Tigres. Luis Suárez stepped up to the penalty spot and stroked the ball calmly past Nahuel Guzmán. The foul that led to the spot kick brought the crowd to their feet, and Suárez did the rest with a composed, low finish to his right. It was a vintage penalty from a veteran striker who has scored in bigger moments than this one.
The rest of the first half saw Tigres try to respond, but the Miami defense held firm. At the break, Tigres held a 60 percent share of possession but had been unable to test Óscar Ustari with anything threatening. Miami’s 40 percent possession was being used efficiently.
Second Half Drama (45′ to 90’+)
Tigres came out with far more urgency after the interval, and the second half belonged to them for long stretches before Miami found a way to win it late.
47th minute: Substitution. Noah Allen replaced Jordi Alba at left back for Inter Miami. Whether the change was tactical or fitness-related, it gave Miami fresh legs down the left side.
62nd minute: Substitution. Tigres made their move, sending on Iván López to replace Nicolás Ibánez. The visitors needed creativity and López was the man they turned to.
63rd minute: Double Substitution. Miami responded quickly, bringing on Benjamín Cremaschi and Marcelo Weigandt in one change. Head coach Gerardo Martino clearly wanted more energy and pressing from his side in the middle third.
67th minute: Goal! Inter Miami 1-1 Tigres. Ángel Correa found the equalizer to send the Tigres fans in the stadium into a frenzy. The goal came from a well-worked move, with Correa using his pace and low center of gravity to beat the Miami backline before finishing clinically. Suddenly the tie was level, and the nerves were palpable in Fort Lauderdale.
From the 67th minute through to the late stages, both teams pushed for a winner. Miami regrouped, Tigres continued to press, and the game looked likely to go to extra time.
87th minute: Yellow Card. Juan Brunetta received a booking for Tigres as the game entered its final, frantic moments.
88th minute: Yellow Card. Rodrigo De Paul was cautioned for Miami, adding to the tension around the stadium.
89th minute: Goal! Inter Miami 2-1 Tigres. Luis Suárez struck again. Another penalty, another cool finish, another moment of brilliance from the Uruguayan forward at the most critical point in the match. The penalty was awarded in controversial circumstances, and the Tigres players made their feelings known to referee Mario Escobar. But Suárez was not interested in the drama. He placed the ball on the spot, waited, and buried it. Chase Stadium erupted.
90th minute: Substitution. Tigres threw André-Pierre Gignac into the game in a desperate search for a late equalizer.
90+2nd minute: Substitution. Miami made a late change, bringing on Tomás Avilés to replace Tadeo Allende and shore things up.
90+7th minute: Full Time. Inter Miami held on. The final whistle confirmed their place in the Leagues Cup semi-finals, and Suárez was immediately surrounded by teammates celebrating one of the more memorable individual performances of the tournament.
Head-to-Head Record: Inter Miami vs Tigres
This match added a new chapter to what is becoming a genuine rivalry between these two clubs. The most notable previous meeting came in the group stage of the 2024 Leagues Cup, when Tigres beat Miami 2-1. That result left Tigres with the head-to-head advantage going into this game, making the 2025 quarterfinal feel like something of a rematch.
Miami’s win on August 21 was not just about advancing to the next round. It was also about settling a score from twelve months earlier.
Player Performance and Stats
Inter Miami CF Top Performers
Luis Suárez was the undisputed man of the match. Two penalties from two attempts, both scored with total composure in high-pressure situations. At his age and in a game where Miami desperately needed a leader without Messi, Suárez delivered in the most complete way possible.
Yannick Bright was excellent in defensive midfield. He broke up Tigres attacks, kept his passing simple and effective, and gave Miami a platform to work from throughout the match.
Ian Fray had a strong night at the back, contributing defensively and winning his individual battles against the Tigres attackers.
Tigres UANL Top Performers
Juan Brunetta was the most creative player on the pitch in the second half. His vision and passing range caused Miami real problems, and his yellow card in the 87th minute reflected how important he had become to Tigres as the game opened up.
Ángel Correa took his goal brilliantly and gave the Tigres fans real hope at 1-1. He was lively throughout the second half and linked well with the forwards around him.
Jesús Garza was energetic from left back and constantly looked to get involved going forward, providing Tigres with width and an additional attacking outlet.
Tactical Analysis: How the Game Was Won
Miami lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Suárez as the focal point up front and Sergio Busquets pulling the strings behind him. Tigres operated in a 4-4-2 shape, which gave them numerical balance in midfield and helped explain their 60 percent possession share.
The tactical story of the match is interesting because the team with less of the ball won. Miami sat deep at times, allowed Tigres to play in front of them, and then hit quickly on the counter. Their two goals both came from set-piece situations in the form of penalties, which tells you something about how disciplined they were in winning the ball and drawing fouls at key moments.
Tigres played well enough to deserve a draw but were undone by their inability to punish Miami in the final third. Their shot count was high but their efforts on target were limited, and Ustari was never truly tested from open play.
The absence of Lionel Messi loomed large before the game, but in truth, Miami played in a way that did not require him. They were organized, direct, and clinical when the moments came. That is a credit to the squad depth and the tactical intelligence of the coaching staff.
The two penalties at 23 minutes and 89 minutes were the decisive moments. Getting to the line twice in a match is not luck. It requires pressing intelligently and forcing defenders into decisions under pressure.
Where to Watch Inter Miami vs Tigres Replay and Highlights
If you missed the match or want to relive Suárez’s winning penalty, highlights are available on the official MLS YouTube channel and on both clubs’ social media pages. The full match replay can be accessed through MLS Season Pass on Apple TV for subscribers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of Inter Miami vs Tigres UANL?
Inter Miami CF won 2-1 against Tigres UANL on August 21, 2025.
Who scored the goals in the Inter Miami vs Tigres match?
Luis Suárez scored twice from the penalty spot for Miami, in the 23rd and 89th minutes. Ángel Correa scored the equalizer for Tigres in the 67th minute.
Did Lionel Messi play against Tigres?
No. Lionel Messi was absent from the match. Luis Suárez stepped up as the key figure in his absence.
What is the head-to-head record between Inter Miami and Tigres?
The previous meeting between the clubs was in the 2024 Leagues Cup group stage, where Tigres won 2-1. Miami’s 2025 quarterfinal victory now adds to the short but compelling history between the two sides.
Where was the Inter Miami vs Tigres match played?
The match was played at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in front of an attendance of 18,597.
What competition were Inter Miami and Tigres playing in?
This was a Leagues Cup 2025 Quarterfinal match.
What were the lineups for Inter Miami vs Tigres?
Miami started with Óscar Ustari in goal, with Ian Fray, Gonzalo Luján, Maximiliano Falcón, and Jordi Alba across the back. Sergio Busquets and Yannick Bright started in midfield. Luis Suárez led the line. Tigres featured Nahuel Guzmán in goal, with Fernando Gorriarán and Rodrigo De Paul in central midfield and Ángel Correa among the attacking options.
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