Alba and De Paul Shine as Inter Miami Battle to Thrilling 2-2 Draw Against Necaxa Despite Messi's Absence
Inter Miami secured two out of three available points on Saturday evening following a penalty shootout victory after a 2–2 deadlock in regulation against Liga MX side Necaxa in both clubs' second fixture of the 2025 Leagues Cup.
Despite Miami facing considerable challenges, including Lionel Messi's early departure due to injury and center-back Maxi Falcón receiving a red card within the opening 20 minutes, they persevered and managed to maintain their position in the restructured tournament.
Telasco Segovia netted the first goal for the Herons, before Tomas Badaloni and Ricardo Monreal found the back of the net for Necaxa, all occurring before Jordi Alba's equalizing strike in the second minute of second-half added time to send the match to penalties.
Miami prevailed 5–4 in the penalty shootout, with Luis Suárez converting the decisive spot kick to claim two points and keep the Herons in contention for the top four positions in the MLS standings. They now turn their attention to their final Phase One encounter against Pumas UNAM on Wednesday.
Here are Sports Illustrated's observations from the contest.
Messi Departs Early
Despite Inter Miami's improvements, Messi sustaining an injury early in the contest is always concerning. While there's talent distributed across the squad now, the 38-year-old's impact remains among the most vital of any MLS player.
Following a promising start to the match with some bright moments in limited possession, Messi drove into the Necaxa penalty box but fell uncomfortably after contact with two defenders. He tried to carry on but was ultimately substituted in the 11th minute and headed straight to the dressing room.
Although head coach Javier Mascherano confirmed that the team had no timeframe or understanding of the injury's extent following the match, he mentioned that additional examinations would take place on Sunday.
If Messi faces a significant injury, it would represent the first occasion this season that Miami would need to navigate a period without him. Up to this point, he has been among the team's most utilized players and has featured for over 80 minutes on 24 occasions in 2025, to such an extent that co-owner Jorge Mas referenced fatigue as a factor in the Argentine's absence from the 2025 MLS All-Star Game.
Discovering a Path
When circumstances turned against them, Inter Miami demonstrated the type of determination they have typically only displayed when Messi is present on the field. Throughout the campaign, they have mounted late rallies, particularly against the Philadelphia Union earlier in the season, but Messi frequently plays a pivotal role.
Without him for 79 minutes and the penalty shootout, the club relied on its other key players. Rodrigo De Paul elevated his performance, while Telasco Segovia and Jordi Alba scored crucial goals.
Additionally, homegrown midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi donned the captain's armband for the first time in the composed fightback, guiding the team in a match that appeared beyond reach at various moments.
While the club may be without Messi for the foreseeable future and faced multiple challenges against Necaxa, securing victory, even just the two points, represented significant progress and a clear shift in the team's approach since Mascherano's appointment began.
However, they will likely require a victory in regular time against Pumas UNAM to remain competitive in the Leagues Cup as one of the top four MLS clubs. While the precise point total could fluctuate, maintaining themselves within striking distance of eight total points was essential against Necaxa.
De Paul Continues Rapid Integration
De Paul has wasted no time in establishing himself as one of Inter Miami's premier players, delivering an exceptional performance in his second consecutive 90-minute appearance since joining.
While many players might have required additional time to adapt, De Paul seamlessly integrated into Miami's midfield structure alongside Sergio Busquets and has been an instant impact player. Following Messi's injury-forced exit from the match, he advanced to orchestrate the transition and concluded the evening with 10 passes into the attacking third, four scoring opportunities created, and assists on both goals.
Furthermore, his forward movement enabled Federico Redondo and Busquets to adopt more defensive roles, congesting central areas and compelling the Liga MX team to pursue attacks through wide channels.
Acquiring De Paul represented another decisive declaration of championship ambition for Miami, and his immediate impact has exceeded their wildest expectations, particularly arriving during the Leagues Cup as preparation for more crucial MLS fixtures.