Ugly scenes in the middle as Luis Suarez’s violent act triggers a brawl in the middle. The third goal by Inter Miami sealed the victory for Seattle Sounders but Suarez went straight to Vargas and held his had around the opponent’s neck. Not what you want to see from a player of the stature of Luis Suarez. But, that’s it from the middle. 

Ok, mls needs to do something about this.
Suarez spit on a Seattle coaching staff, and went up to a Seattle staff and put him in a headlock. And Maimi escalated the fight.
MLS wake up. pic.twitter.com/mzmDf274Mo

— Goal_yay (@Goal_yay) September 1, 2025

GOOAAAAAALLLLLL! Against the run of play, Rothrock puts the ball past Ustari to make it 3-0 for his side. Lionel Messi's Inter Miami have been embarrassed in the Leagues Cup final. The scoreline truly suggests what has been the case in the middle. 

After much deliberation, it's Alex Roldan who takes the penalty kick. Ustari went the wrong way as Roldan makes it 2-0 for the Seattle Sounders. It looks al over for Inter Miami and Lionel Messi. 

It probably would be all over soon as Seattle Sounders' Minoungou earns a penalty at the other end of the pitch. A great solo run. 

Entire Seattle Sounders team defending as Inter Miami throw everything into the attack in the final 12 minutes of play, plus added time. Lionel Messi orchestrates a good passing move but the penalty box is too crowded. Only a corner could be earned.

Ustari with a big save for Seattle Sounders after Rothrock came one-on-one with the Inter Miami goalkeeper. The shot was efficiently blocked by Ustari who manages to keep his team in the game. Inter Miami attacking with a high-line, not leaving much scope to make up for a counter-attack. A little over 15 minutes to go in normal time. 

A poor clearance from the Inter Miami goalkeeper Ustari gave Seattle Sounders a big opportunity to make it 2-0. But, the shot Paul Rothrock was absolutely useless. Inter Miami still making mistakes at the back but somehow aren't being punished for them. Seattle still leading 1-0.

Lionel Messi with a brilliant ball on the left-flank to Jordi Alba but the former Spain international isn't able to control the pass, resulting into a goal-kick. Inter Miami looking like a completely different side in comparison to the first half. 

A shocking miss by Allende after being sent clear onto the goal by Luis Suarez. An absolute shocker that should’ve put Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami level 1-1. Somehow Seattle Sounders continue to lead 1-0 but Miami are looking stronger with every passing minute. 

Defender Lujan off and an attacking midfielder Segovia on for Inter Miami at the 56th minute mark. It might mean that Sergio Busquets will now be playing as a center back for Inter Miami, who desperately need to score a goal. 

Dela Vega persistent in his duels with Lionel Messi, who hasn't been able to hold onto the ball for long in the match. The Argentine was dispossessed by the Seattle man once again just outside the 18-yard box. 

Seattle Sounders' Rothrock with a brilliant cross along the ground from the right flank but he didn't have a teammate to put a foot behind that ball in the box. An excellent attacking move by Seattle but it goes begging. 

Luis Suarez with arguably the worst shot of the match. Standing inside the box on the right side, the Uruguayan used his left foot, hoping to curl the ball into the far left corner but the ball was miles off target. Suarez later sets up Lionel Messi with a brilliant pass inside the box but the Argentine's hot went over the cross bar. Inter Miami finally getting back into the game. 

The second-half begins, with no changes to the playing XIs yet. Lionel Messi's Inter Miami have a lot to improve after they failed to put a single shot on target in the first 45 minutes. The second 45 minutes will decide the fate of the game. 

Brian Schmetzer, Seattle Sounders manager, expressed his delight at the first half of the game. While he did admit that some of the players are getting tired, the message from him is more the of the same for the second half of the game. 

Not the kind of half that Inter Miami would've hoped for. A total of 4 shots by Inter Miami but none of them on target in the first half. Seattle Sounders would be very happy with the control in the middle so far. They lead 1-0 at Half Time. 

Rodrigo de Paul, Luis Suarez combine in a counter-attacking move to create a half opportunity for Inter Miami but Seattle Sounders defenders made their way back in time to nullify the move. Seattle continue to lead 1-0, with just seconds to go before the half-time whistle. 

Jesus Ferreira's shot hit the left-post after beating the goalkeeper but the ball bounced back and went straight into the arms of the Inter Miami shot stopper. Another big opportunity for Seattle as Inter Miami continue to look clueless. 

Lionel Messi involved in a rare verbal duel with Dela Vega over the Seattle No. 10's attempt to get under Rodrigo de Paul's nerves. Inter Miami still struggling to find the passing momentum in the final third that brought them to the final. Messi unable to influence the game so far. 

Multiple set piece opportunities for Seattle Sounders after Pedro de la Vegas was taken down outside the penalty box. Set pieces have been an issue for Inter Miami but they just aren't able to control the movements of Seattle players in the game. Inter Miami truly looking insipid at the moment. 

Luis Suarez looked to put his team level at the other end of the pitch but his shot hit a defender in the chest. A fine handball shout by Suarez and a few other Inter Miami players but the referee isn't interested. It remains 1-0 in the favour of Seattle Sounders.  

GOOOAAAAAL! The persistent attempts pay off for Seattle Sounders as De Rosariio heads the ball into the back of the net after an excellent cross from the right flank. Great assist from Ferreira and Inter Miami suddenly find themselves trailing. 

Inter Miami enjoying the bulk of possession with plenty of passes but its Seattle Sounders who are looking more sharp in the middle. Dela Vega with an opportunity from outside the box but his shot was blocked. So far, no damage done but Inter Miami losing plenty of balls in the midfield, producing a scrappy play that Messi surely won't be impressed with. 

A brilliant run from Rodrigo de Paul from the right side of the midfield to put a shot on target. But, a sliding tackle once again prevented a shot from an Inter Miami player from testing the goalkeeper. Great run but Seattle defenders are as aware as they need to be. 

As Inter Miami continue to lose balls in midfield, center-back Falcon produced an excellent headed clearance to deny De Rossario a point-blank opportunity. Inter Miami need to have more control in midfield, which is lacking at the moment. 

Lionel Messi found an excellent opportunity in the penalty box after a pass from his long-term teammate Luis Suarez. But, before the Argentine could shoot, a slide tackle took the ball away from his feet. Messi then takes the corner but no avail. 

Seattle forwards continue to press high, earning a corner after Inter Miami goalkeeper had no way but to put the ball behind. Not a promising start by Inter Miami, and their fans are understandably concerned.

Seattle forwards continue to press high, earning a corner after Inter Miami goalkeeper had no way but to put the ball behind. Not a promising start by Inter Miami, and their fans are understandably concerned.

Plenty of tackles, body charges, fouls in the first 6 minutes of the game, with Seattle unarguably generating two chances to score. Messi hasn't been able to influence the game so far, with Seattle managing to surround him efficiently. 

A big early scare for Inter Miami in the game, showing why their defense has leaked so many goals of late. The goalkeeper Ustari somehow kept the ball out of the goal after a brilliant move by Seattle, that prompted De Nasario to head the ball towards goal. Big repreive!

Just 1st minute of play and Inter Miami already changing the positions of their players in midfield. Rodrigo de Paul has come to the left side of Sergio Busquets, unlike what was said in the team sheet. Not the most fluid of movements by Miami early on. Messi looking to get into action.

In club finals history, Lionel Messi has featured in a total of 33 games. In these games, he has scored 33 goals and assisted 13. He will undoubtedly be key today to Inter Miami against Seattle Sounders, who have three clean sheets in their last 5 Leagues Cup games. We are now underway at Lumen Field.

Seattle Sounders have never lost a final at their home stadium, 4 wins in 4. But they face the formidable Lionel Messi and his team today. Hostile environment awaits Messi's Inter Miami but they have what it takes to survive!

There we go! The Leagues Cup 2025 final has begun -- with both Seattle Sounders and Inter Miami -- looking to taste glory. The Luis Suarez-Lionel Messi combo possess a real threat to Seattle Sounders, something that the defenders need to be wary of. If Seattle manage to contain the duo, they will most likely have the trophy in their hands at the end of the 90 minutes of action. 

The stadium is almost sold out. The action is underway!

Both sets of players are walking out as the match is set to begin. Here's a look at the two starting XIs again:

Inter Miami: Oscar Ustari (gk); Jordi Alba, Gonzalo Lujan, Maximiliano Falcon, Ian Fray; Tadeo Allende, Sergio Busquets, Yannick Bright, Rodrigo de Paul; Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi (c)

Seattle Sounders: Andrew Thomas (gk); Reed Baker-Whiting, Jackson Ragen, Yeimar Gomez Andrade, Alexander Roldan; Cristian Roldan (c), Obed Vargas; Pedro de La Vega, Jesus Ferreira, Paul Rothrock; Osaze De Rosario

The combination of Roldan, Vargas, Ferreira does add a lot of quality to Seattle’s midfield in this Leagues Cup final clash against Inter Miami. Some pundits feel that Seattle have the upper hand in this fixture, especially because of this midfield. We’ll have to wait for a little while to see what exactly the Sounders have to offer today!

Both sets of players have come out for the warm up. A special focus on Lionel Messi as he guides his troops from the No. 10 position. Rodrigo de Paul, Messi's Argentina teammate, starting in a hybrid right-wing role which might make things tricky for Seattle Sounders. We aren't too far away from kick-off now. 

Brian Schmetzer David Beckham
Two legends of the beautiful game at #LeaguesCup2025 Final pic.twitter.com/3EjLEQYhHu

— Leagues Cup (@LeaguesCup) August 31, 2025

Meanwhile, in the third-place match between LA Galaxy and Orlando City, the Los Angeles team has emerged triumphant 2-1, with goals from Germany legend Marco Reus and Joseph Paintsill. Martin Ojeda managed to score Orlando City's only goal but that wasn't enough. Courtesy of the victory, LA Galaxy has secured the third place spot to advance to next year's CONCAF Champions Cup.

One of the most decorated players in football history, Lionel Messi has already won 46 trophies in his career -- both internationally and domestically -- and now he is on the cusp of wining his 47th. Can Inter Miami get the better of Seattle Sounders today?

We also take a look at the Inter Miami XI. The likes of Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, etc. all start for Inter Miami in the title-decider. 

Inter Miami XI vs Seattle
Messi starts  pic.twitter.com/EKZluJBZuK

— MessiMania (@M10Update) August 31, 2025

It is't just the Inter Miami side that is full of superstars. Even Seattle Sounders have some excellent players in the team, that is why they are in the final today. 

Our @LeaguesCup Final Starting XI!
: https://t.co/RyCuMfvFmY | #SEAvMIA pic.twitter.com/w1m9dCeGT6

— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) August 31, 2025

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Leagues Cup final between Inter Miami and Seattle Sounders. There were slight concerns over Lionel Messi's availability in the match but Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano has confirmed that he is available for the final. It's all about how and if Seattle Sounders will be able stop him now!