Suarez Strikes! Inter Miami Crushes Pumas 3-1 to Storm Into Leagues Cup Knockouts - Player Ratings Inside
Inter Miami secured their spot in the Leagues Cup knockout rounds following an outstanding performance by Luis Suárez, who played a crucial role in all three goals scored by the Herons against Pumas UNAM.
With their tournament qualification hanging in the balance, Inter Miami battled the Liga MX team in their decisive Phase One finale of the 2025 Leagues Cup. The Herons entered this critical encounter requiring a victory within regular time to secure their knockout stage position, but were without Lionel Messi, who was sidelined due to a minor muscle problem.
Javier Mascherano's squad created opportunities early at Chase Stadium, but they couldn't find the finishing touch needed to break the deadlock. Pumas UNAM remained patient before capitalizing in the 34th minute. Pedro Vite delivered a perfectly timed pass over Inter Miami's defensive line to Jorge Ruvalcaba, who slotted home the match's first goal with his right foot.
As the Herons appeared destined to enter halftime behind, their star players combined for the equalizing goal. Luis Suárez made a penetrating run along the left flank and provided an exceptional cross to locate Rodrigo De Paul in the penalty area. The Argentine midfielder controlled the delivery with his chest before netting his debut goal in the pink jersey.
With the score tied at 1–1, the home team began the second period determined to find the net. Suárez briefly believed he had given Inter Miami the lead in the 47th minute, but his strike was subsequently ruled out for an offside position. The Uruguayan forward received another opportunity just 11 minutes later when José Caicedo was penalized for a handball within the penalty area.
Suárez confidently dispatched the spot kick, putting the Herons ahead 2–1. The forward ended his nine-match scoring drought with the successful penalty, delivering when his team required it most. He maintained his exceptional display by assisting Tadeo Allende for Inter Miami's third goal of the evening.
Mascherano's team comfortably closed out the match and claimed all three points, earning their place in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals, scheduled to begin on Aug. 19 and 20.
Review the player ratings from Inter Miami's triumph below.
Inter Miami Player Ratings vs. Pumas UNAM (4-2-3-1)
Ratings Provided by FotMob
Position / Player | Ratings (Out of 10) |
|---|---|
GK: Rocco Ríos Novo | 6.9 |
RB: Marcelo Weigandt | 6.7 |
CB: Maximiliano Falcón | 7.1 |
CB: Gonzalo Luján | 7.7 |
LB: Jordi Alba | 8.3 |
DM: Yannick Bright | 7.6 |
DM: Sergio Busquets | 7.7 |
RW: Tadeo Allende | 7.6 |
AM: Rodrigo De Paul | 7.8 |
LW: Telasco Segovia | 7 |
ST: Luis Suárez | 9.3 |
SUB: Ian Fray (46' for Weigandt) | 6.6 |
SUB: Noah Allen (76' for Segovia) | 6.1 |
SUB: Fafà Picault (76' for Allende) | 6.5 |
SUB: Benjamin Cremaschi (83' for Suárez) | N/A |
SUB: Federico Redondo (88' for De Paul) | N/A |
Pumas UNAM Player Ratings vs. Inter Miami (4-2-3-1)
Ratings Provided by FotMob
Position / Player | Ratings (Out of 10) |
|---|---|
GK: Miguel Paul | 5.9 |
RB: Pablo Bennevendo | 6.6 |
CB: Nathan Silva | 7.2 |
CB: Rubén Duarte | 6.3 |
LB: Alvaro Angulo | 6 |
DM: José Caicedo | 5.7 |
DM: Adalberto Carrasquilla | 6.7 |
RW: Rodrigo López | 6.7 |
AM: Pedro Vite | 7.4 |
LW: Jorge Ruvalcaba | 7.8 |
ST: Guillermo Martínez | 6 |
SUB: Piero Quispe (46' for López) | 6.1 |
SUB: Pablo Monroy (66' for Bennevendo) | 6.3 |
SUB: Ángel Rico (72' for Caicedo) | 6.3 |
SUB: Ángel Azuaje (87' for Angulo) | N/A |
SUB: Emiliano Villaseñor (87' for Vite) | N/A |