Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates celebrating their MLS Cup victory
Lionel Messi provided two assists as Inter Miami beat Vancouver Whitecaps at Chase Stadium to win the MLS Cup for the first time.
Miami got off to the perfect start and took the lead in the eighth minute when Edier Ocampo put the ball into his own net while trying to defend Tadeo Allende.
Vancouver grew into the game late in the first half and had two big opportunities to level.
Their first meaningful attempt at a goal came in the 38th minute when goalkeeper Rocco Rios was on call to deny Emmanuel Sabbi from point-blank range.
Thomas Müller was next to threaten an equaliser when his header landed on the roof of the net.
The Whitecaps came out positively after the break and got their reward on the hour mark as Ali Ahmed’s scuffed shot squeezed under Rios’ arm.
Sabbi was unlucky not to put the visitors in front moments later when his shot crashed off both posts, and his follow-up on the rebound was also deflected onto the woodwork.
