# Lionel Messi Leads Inter Miami to Leagues Cup Final
Lionel Messi shrugged off an injury scare to score his ninth goal in six games as Inter Miami beat Philadelphia Union to reach the Leagues Cup final. The Argentine World Cup winner scored Miami’s second goal in a 4-1 victory, a day after rolling his ankle in training. Josef Martinez, Jordi Alba and David Ruiz also scored for Miami, with Alejandro Bedoya on target for the hosts.
Miami will now play Nashville SC in Saturday’s final (Sunday, 02:00 BST). The result also means Miami qualify for the Concacaf Champions Cup regional tournament next season, which may open up a route into Fifa’s expanded Club World Cup in 2025.
## Miami’s Impressive Run of Form
Miami’s sixth consecutive win since Messi’s introduction to their team in July gives the 36-year-old the opportunity to prepare for the 42nd final of his career in the World Cup-style knockout tournament containing teams from Mexico and Major League Soccer in the US.
The result also means Miami qualify for the Concacaf Champions Cup regional tournament next season, which may open up a route into Fifa’s expanded Club World Cup in 2025.
Miami boss Gerardo Martino said: “Our goal was to qualify for international competition next season and we’ve done that. Now we have to prepare to win this tournament, which has us feeling very motivated and confident.”
## Nashville SC Reach Final
Nashville SC will host the match after booking their place in the showpiece affair with a 2-0 win over Monterrey. Nashville are led by former US national team coach Gary Smith and have been in impressive form this season, currently sitting third in the Eastern Conference of Major League Soccer.
The Leagues Cup is a relatively new tournament, having been established in 2019. It is a collaboration between Major League Soccer and Liga MX, the top division of Mexican football, and features eight teams from each league. The winner of the tournament will receive $1 million in prize money.
## Final Preview
The final between Inter Miami and Nashville SC promises to be an exciting affair. Both teams have been in impressive form this season and have already proven they can compete with some of the best teams in both MLS and Liga MX.
Inter Miami have been boosted by the arrival of Lionel Messi, who has already scored nine goals in six games since joining the club. Nashville SC have been led by former US national team coach Gary Smith and have been in impressive form this season, currently sitting third in the Eastern Conference of Major League Soccer.
The final of the Leagues Cup will take place on Saturday (Sunday, 02:00 BST). Whoever wins will be crowned champions of the tournament and receive $1 million in prize money. It promises to be an exciting match and one that could potentially open up a route into Fifa’s expanded Club World Cup in 2025.