Inter Miami vs Vancouver Whitecaps LIVE: Messi assists De Paul to retake the lead! (2–1) 2025 MLS Cup final

Javier Mascherano makes his next adjustment. Mateo Silvetti comes off, and Yannick Bright enters to inject fresh energy.

The roles have completely shifted. After dominating earlier, Vancouver now find themselves under pressure as Inter Miami throw everything forward to extend their advantage. The match remains extremely physical and tightly contested, with every duel fiercely fought.

Lionel Messi wins the ball in the attacking half and slots a perfect assist to Rodrigo De Paul, who finishes for a massive goal that could be decisive in this championship push!

Vancouver Whitecaps make two substitutions: Ali Ahmed and Ralph Priso come off for Ryan Gauld and Joedrick Pupe. The match was briefly stopped after a hard foul from Blackmon — he receives a yellow card — and Priso left the field due to injury. Game resumes with plenty of intensity.

Instant response from Vancouver. Emmanuel Sabbi weaves through the box with a brilliant individual move, unleashing a shot that crashes off the left post, then the right, and somehow stays out. Inter Miami breathe a huge sigh of relief as the hosts come inches away from turning the match around.

A costly mistake from Rocco Rios Novo. Ali Ahmed cuts inside from the left and fires with his right foot, and the ball slips through the Inter Miami goalkeeper’s hands. Brian White provided the assist, and Vancouver get their deserved equalizer. The match swings wide open again.

Baltasar Rodriguez, who was carrying a yellow card, comes off the pitch and Telasco Segovia enters to reinforce the midfield. Miami look to regain control after Vancouver’s strong start to the half.

Inter Miami build a brilliant attacking move down the left, with Alba curling a dangerous cross to the middle intended for Allende. Takaoka punches it away under pressure, but Messi arrives immediately with a first–time header that flashes just past the post.

Allen commits a reckless foul on Ocampo near the flank, gifting Vancouver another dangerous free kick. Berhalter steps up again, but the delivery fails to connect and Miami breathe easy once more.

Berhalter sends in a poor delivery from a promising set piece, and the chance goes begging. The Whitecaps came out pushing hard for the equalizer, but they fail to capitalize on this opportunity.

Maximiliano Falcon is booked after a strong challenge on Ali Ahmed. Vancouver will now have a dangerous free kick opportunity early in the second half.

We are back at Chase Stadium with Inter Miami holding a 1-0 lead. The hosts look to build on their strong first-half performance, while Vancouver aim for a response after showing signs of life late in the opening period. Let’s see who takes control from the restart.

Inter Miami take a 1-0 lead into the break thanks to a well-taken finish earlier in the half. The hosts have controlled possession and continued to generate danger through Lionel Messi and Tadeo Allende, while Vancouver look to stay organized and hit on the counter. Everything remains in play as we get ready for the second half at Chase Stadium.

Edier Ocampo receives a yellow card after bringing down Baltasar Rodriguez on the sideline.

The fourth official indicates a minimum of two minutes of stoppage time to close out this intense first half at Chase Stadium.

Inter Miami are under pressure as Tristan Blackmon sends a well-placed cross into the box. Thomas Muller rises high for the header, but Rocco Rios Novo reacts sharply once more, keeping the Herons in front with another key save.

Vancouver earn back-to-back free kicks — first on the right side after a foul on Edier Ocampo, and moments later on the left with Ali Ahmed brought down. The Whitecaps send a dangerous ball into the box, and instead of heading toward goal, Thomas Muller tries to set up Ahmed. But Rocco Rios Novo reads it perfectly once again, keeping Inter Miami ahead.

Sebastian Berhalter delivers a dangerous free-kick cross that finds Brian White inside the box, but Rocco Rios Novo reads it perfectly and secures the ball to keep Inter Miami in front.

Inter Miami slow the tempo and allow Vancouver more possession for the moment, taking advantage of their early lead. The Herons stay compact in a strong defensive block, choosing their moments to break with Lionel Messi driving the counterattacks. The physical battle continues with every duel heavily contested.

Lionel Messi sends his free kick off target, and Vancouver breathe a sigh of relief as the score remains unchanged in this tense MLS Cup final.

Inter Miami win a free kick just outside the box, a perfect position for Lionel Messi.

The match has turned scrappy with constant minor fouls breaking up play. Tempers continue to rise on both sides, and this MLS Cup final is shaping up to be a long and intense battle with plenty of action still ahead.

Vancouver’s Brian White receives a yellow card after a late off-the-ball shove on Maximiliano Falcon. The referee has zero tolerance as tempers start to rise early in this daylight final.

Inter Miami see the first booking of the day. Baltasar Rodriguez is shown a yellow card for a foul on Andres Cubas, adding early tension to this MLS Cup final.

Inter Miami strike first after a midfield recovery leads to Lionel Messi slipping a pass to Tadeo Allende. His attempt to play a cut-back deflects off Edier Ocampo and rolls into the net, giving the Herons the early lead in the MLS Cup final.

Vancouver win a free kick after a handball by Tadeo Allende. Sebastian Berhalter steps up to take it, but the delivery fails to trouble the Inter Miami defense and the chance goes to waste.

Inter Miami create the first chance of the match. Lionel Messi recovers the ball and finds Tadeo Allende, who fires over the crossbar. The Herons’ attacker arrives in great form and wastes no time testing Vancouver’s defense.

The MLS Cup final has kicked off at Chase Stadium. Inter Miami and Vancouver begin their battle for the championship trophy under the bright South Florida lights.

Both teams have stepped onto the field at Chase Stadium as the pre-match ceremony begins. Inter Miami and Vancouver Whitecaps line up for the national anthem.

Vancouver finished second in the Western Conference. They struggled midway through the season after losing the Concacaf Champions Cup final, allowing San Diego to pass them in the standings. In the playoffs, the Whitecaps advanced past FC Dallas in two games — needing penalties in Game 2 — then survived another shootout against LAFC in the conference semifinal. Their decisive win on the road against San Diego sent them to the first MLS Cup final in club history.

Inter Miami did not sweep their first-round series, but after Game 3 against Nashville, they have been unstoppable. The Herons won three straight playoff matches by four goals each, dominating every opponent on their path to the championship match.

This is the confirmed lineup for Vancouver Whitecaps: Yohei Takaoka; Jafeth Ocampo, Ralph Priso, Tristan Blackmon, Mathias Laborda; Andres Cubas, Sebastian Berhalter; Haji Sabbi, Thomas Muller, Ali Ahmed; Brian White.

Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, hosts tonight’s 2025 MLS Cup final. The soccer-specific venue, built on the grounds of the former Lockhart Stadium, seats 21,550 fans and serves as the home of Inter Miami and their MLS Next Pro side. This could also mark the final major final played here by the Herons, as the club prepares for the move to Miami Freedom Park in the near future. The stage is set for a historic night under the South Florida lights.

Here's how it looks:

General view inside the Chase Stadium.

Here's Inter Miami's confirmed lineup for the MLS Cup final match against Vancouver Whitecaps!

Inter Miami have arrived at Chase Stadium for tonight’s MLS Cup final. Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez stepped off the team bus looking focused as the Herons begin their final preparations for the championship match.

Drew Fischer from Canada will serve as the match official for tonight’s MLS Cup final. The 45-year-old referee has overseen Inter Miami in 12 previous matches, with the Herons earning 11 wins and one draw — including their recent semifinal victory over Cincinnati in these playoffs. Vancouver have played 30 matches under Fischer’s watch, posting 13 wins, 11 draws, and 6 losses, with their latest being a 4–2 win in the Canadian Championship final.

Referee crew:

• REF: Drew Fischer
• AR1: Cory Richardson
• AR2: Nick Uranga
• 4TH: Pierre-Luc Lauziere
• VAR: Carol Anne Chenard
• AVAR: Tom Supple
• RAR: Jeremy Kieso

Inter Miami vs Vancouver Whitecaps will get underway at 2:30 PM ET (PT:11:30 AM)

Watch this MLS Cup final match between Inter Miami and Vancouver Whitecaps live in the USA on Fubo, FOX, FOX Deportes, MLS Season Pass, DirecTV Stream, and Sling Blue.

Welcome to our live coverage of the 2025 MLS Cup final!

Inter Miami host Vancouver Whitecaps at Chase Stadium on Saturday night, with Lionel Messi and Thomas Muller ready to add another chapter to their rivalry. The Herons arrive after a commanding win over New York City, while Vancouver come in confident after defeating San Diego to win the West.

Stay with us for key information, fun notes, and minute-by-minute updates as Inter Miami and Vancouver battle for the Phillip F. Anschutz Trophy!