New Delhi: Seattle Sounders defeated Lionel Messi-starrer Inter Miami 3-0 in the final to lift the Leagues Cup title on Sunday. Sounders, who were the less fancied side ahead of the final, produced an impressive performance against a star-studded Inter Miami team to seal a dominant victory and complete a sweep of major North American trophies.
A record crowd turned out at the Lumen Field to witness the blockbuster summit clash between the two sides, with Messi supporters comfortably outnumbering all others in the stands. However, the Argentinian legend failed to live up to the expectations as he missed a sitter in his team’s shattering defeat against the Sounders in the final.
Osaze De Rosario gave Sounders the lead in the 26th minute, before Sounders grabbed two late goals to complete a memorable 3-0 triumph against Messi’s side in the final. Rosario opened the scoring in the first half when he headed home off a cross from Alex Roldan, sending the Sounders fans into a frenzy inside the stadium.
Inter Miami came close to equalising on several occasions, however, they failed to take their chances. Messi saw his header getting saved by Sounders keeper Jackson Regen, before he missed an absolute sitter in the 50th minute. Jordi Alba cut one back to Luis Suarez, who laid it off for Messi to slot it home in a one-on-one situation with the keeper.
However, Messi ended up blasting the ball over the bar, leaving many in shock as the Argentinian ace is arguably one of the best finishers in the game. Miami came close to equalising again in the 60th minute when Tadeo Allende shot wide from a close range. Seattle Sounders produced a strong defensive display to keep the Inter Miami attack at bay.
The Sounders doubled their lead in the 84th minute, when Roldan stepped up to convert from the spot after they earned a penalty for a foul on substitute Georgi Minoungou from Inter Miami’s Yannik Bright. Minutes later, Rothrock produced a brilliant angled finish to seal a 3-0 victory for the Sounders, putting the game to bed.
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