New York City FC went to South Florida with belief after a surprise playoff run. Inter Miami sent them home with a reality check. In the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Final at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Lionel Messi’s team exploded for a 5–1 win, powered by a Tadeo Allende hat trick and goals from Mateo Silvetti and Telasco Segovia. Justin Haak scored NYCFC’s lone reply, but Miami’s firepower and experience were too much as the Herons secured their first-ever trip to MLS Cup.
New York City FC vs Inter Miami: match summary
The conference final kicked off in front of a packed crowd in Fort Lauderdale on November 29, 2025. Both sides started cautiously, with NYCFC pressing high and trying to disrupt Miami’s buildup while Messi dropped deep to get touches on the ball. For the first 10 minutes, the visitors looked composed and comfortable.
That balance didn’t last long. In the 14th minute, Tadeo Allende made the first big statement of the night. The winger ran onto a chipped ball in behind, took a perfect first touch, and slid his shot past Matt Freese to put Inter Miami up 1–0. Less than 10 minutes later, Allende struck again, doubling the lead and putting NYCFC under real pressure at 2–0.
NYCFC answer through Haak
To their credit, New York City FC didn’t fold. In the 37th minute, a dangerous set piece from Maxi Moralez picked out Justin Haak, and the Brooklyn-born defender powered a header into the net to cut the deficit to 2–1. For a brief spell, NYCFC were back in it, winning duels and pushing numbers forward in search of an equalizer before halftime.
Inter Miami hold their nerve
The second half opened with NYCFC still carrying hope, but the turning point came just after the hour mark. Inter Miami weathered an early surge, then punished New York on the break. In the 67th minute, Messi slipped a pass into the path of Mateo Silvetti, who finished coolly to restore the two-goal cushion at 3-1 and record his captain’s seventh assist of the postseason.
From there, Miami’s quality took over. Jordi Alba continuously attacked from left back, combining with Messi and Allende, and NYCFC’s young back line struggled to track the movement. As New York pushed higher, gaps opened all over the field.
Late goals turn it into a rout
In the final minutes, Inter Miami turned a solid win into a statement. Substitute Telasco Segovia finished off a swift counterattack late in regulation to make it 4–1, with Alba involved again in the buildup. A few minutes later, Allende completed his hat trick with another composed finish, sealing the 5–1 scoreline and sending Chase Stadium into celebration. Officially, the goals were recorded as Allende (14′, 23′, 89′), Silvetti (67′) and Segovia (87′) for Miami, with Haak (37′) scoring for NYCFC.
Allende’s historic playoff run
Allende’s performance didn’t just win the match; it rewrote the MLS postseason record book. His three goals moved him to eight goals in this year’s Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, tying the league record for most goals in a single postseason, first set by Carlos Ruiz in 2002.
Throughout the playoffs, Allende has consistently delivered on the biggest nights. His ability to attack space behind the back line has been the perfect complement to Messi’s playmaking and Alba’s overlapping runs.
Messi, Alba and Miami’s engine
Even on a night when he didn’t score, Messi was central to everything Inter Miami did. According to multiple reports, his assist on Silvetti’s goal pushed him to seven assists this postseason and gave him the MLS record for most combined goals and assists in a single playoff run.
Alba added another standout performance, credited with three assists and constantly exploiting the left channel. Together, Messi and Alba provided the experience and decision-making that separated Miami from a spirited but undermanned NYCFC side.
What went wrong for NYCFC
New York City FC’s playoff run already exceeded expectations, but they came into the final missing key pieces. Top scorer Alonso Martínez and midfielder Andrés Perea were both sidelined, forcing head coach Pascal Jansen to shuffle his lineup again.
Early on, NYCFC created half-chances and stayed within touching distance thanks to Haak’s goal, but the lack of a true cutting edge in the final third showed. As they chased the game in the second half, defensive mistakes and fatigue opened the door for Miami’s late flurry of goals.
Still, there are positive signs for New York. This was one of the youngest squads in MLS this season, and reaching the Eastern Conference Final provides a valuable experience baseline. Jansen and the front office now have a clear view of where depth and quality need to improve to close the gap on teams like Inter Miami.
Inter Miami’s road to MLS Cup
The 5–1 win capped a dominant stretch for Miami in the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs. After winning their Round One series against Nashville SC, they crushed FC Cincinnati 4–0 away in the semifinals and then overwhelmed NYCFC in this final. Over their last three playoff matches, Inter Miami have outscored opponents 13–1.
The victory gave Miami the Eastern Conference title, the third major trophy in club history, and locked in their place as hosts of MLS Cup 2025 against the Vancouver Whitecaps, who defeated expansion side San Diego FC 3–1 in the Western Conference Final.
Big-picture meaning
For Miami, this match confirmed that their star-heavy project is now fully built around a balanced, dangerous team rather than just one superstar. With Messi orchestrating, Alba and Busquets providing structure, and Allende, Silvetti and Segovia delivering in front of goal, Inter Miami look like legitimate contenders to lift MLS Cup.
For NYCFC, the scoreline hurts, but the journey matters. Reaching the final four of the playoffs with a young core and an injury-hit squad suggests they are ahead of schedule in their rebuild. How they respond this winter, especially in replacing outgoing players and adding experience, will shape whether this is a one-off run or the start of a new era.
