(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Luis Suárez Shines with Goal and Two Assists as Inter Miami Defeats Pumas 3-1 in Leagues Cup
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Inter Miami continued their impressive Leagues Cup run on Wednesday night with a commanding 3-1 victory over Pumas, thanks to a standout performance by Luis Suárez, who contributed one goal and two assists.
Although the team was missing Lionel Messi, who remains sidelined with what the club has called a minor right leg muscle injury, Miami delivered a strong showing at Chase Stadium. Messi was seen supporting his team from a suite, despite being unavailable for the match.
Pumas took an early lead in the 34th minute through Jorge Ruvalcaba, but Rodrigo De Paul responded just before halftime with a brilliant equalizer, assisted by Suárez. It marked De Paul’s first goal for Inter Miami. The Argentine midfielder, known for his role alongside Messi with the national team, has quickly made an impact since debuting in the tournament.
The momentum shifted fully in Miami’s favor when Suárez calmly converted a penalty kick in the 59th minute, after a handball by Pumas defender José Caicedo inside the box. It was Suárez’s first goal since June 23, when he scored against Palmeiras in the Club World Cup.
Just ten minutes later, Tadeo Allende added Miami’s third goal, finishing a precise pass from Suárez — his second assist of the evening.
With the win, Inter Miami becomes the first MLS team to reach the knockout stage of this year’s Leagues Cup, sitting on top of their group with eight points.
