Tadeo Allende scored a hat trick as Inter Miami reached its first MLS Cup final in emphatic fashion thanks to a 5-1 win over New York City FC at Chase Stadium on Saturday.

Lionel Messi & Co. will face the Vancouver Whitecaps, winner of the Western Conference final over San Diego FC, in the December 6 championship game that they’ll host by virtue of having the best regular-season record of the finalists.

For long stretches, Miami was unable to repeat the flowing, attacking football it had shown in last week’s 4-0 demolition of Cincinnati in Ohio, but Miami ran away with the game in the latter stages anyway, scoring in the 83rd and 89th minutes to put the finishing touches on another resounding victory.

Luis Suárez again started on the bench with 19-year-old former Newell’s Old Boys forward Mateo Silvetti preferred in attack along with Allende, whose eight postseason goals have tied an MLS record (Carlos Ruiz, 2002).

Miami grabbed a 14th minute lead when Sergio Busquets picked up the ball from goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo and from inside his own half launched a long ball towards Allende in the inside-right channel. The forward outmuscled New York defender Raul Gustavo, far too easily, before confidently blasting home with venom.

GOOOL! Allende abre la cuenta con un bombazo 🔥 pic.twitter.com/FnlC0bJmGF

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) November 29, 2025

It took just nine minutes for Miami to double the advantage, with its other soon-to-be-retired former Barcelona star, Jordi Alba, creating the opportunity – and again it came from a direct pass with no involvement from Messi. Alba lofted the ball into the box, and Allende, who had anticipated the delivery with a fine diagonal run, met it with a brilliantly angled, glancing header into the corner to mark his third straight multi-goal game.

IMPARABLE. pic.twitter.com/aX6W5ZobH5

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) November 29, 2025

Miami looked in firm control at that point but allowed the visitors back into the game when Justin Haak lost his marker and was left unchallenged to head in a floated Maxi Moralez free kick from the right and reduce the deficit eight minutes before the interval.

Here we go. 🍿

Justin Haak puts @newyorkcityfc on the board. 2-1. // Audi MLS Cup Playoffs pic.twitter.com/l6VHPfIckq

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 29, 2025

It was not just a below-par first half from Messi that explained Miami’s lack of fluency and threat in the final third – New York was highly disciplined in its defensive shape, and after the break it began to show the other side of their game, looking increasingly dangerous on the counter and in transition.

Julián Fernández went close to a leveler for NYCFC in the 66th minute – his shot at the back post denied by a fine, diving save from Rios Novo after a swift break down the left.

But just as the momentum appeared to be shifting, Miami struck. A right-wing cross from Rodrigo De Paul found Alba on the opposite wing, and the Spaniard laid off a first-time pass inside to Messi, who turned and found Silvetti. The teenager from Rosario drilled confidently home to make it 3-1.

Messi ➡️ Toto 🔥 VAMOSSSS pic.twitter.com/fvy4n3Am0L

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) November 30, 2025

That gave Miami some breathing room for the final stages, easing the tension in the stadium, and it was soon party time as substitute Telasco Segovia rounded off the win with a goal on the break – slotting home after an audacious back-heel from Alba, who had sprinted the length of the field to make the assist.

Jordi Alba backheel assist on repeat 😱

Telasco Segovia makes it 4-1 Miami! // Audi MLS Cup Playoffs pic.twitter.com/1uGSmRPFIM

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 30, 2025

HAT TRICK ALLENDE. 5-1. GAME OVER.@InterMiamiCF // Audi MLS Cup Playoffs pic.twitter.com/hY4BAZQQUM

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 30, 2025

Allende wrapped up the win and his hat trick in the 89th minute to ensure that Miami’s farewell to its Fort Lauderdale home, (it’ll move to the new Miami Freedom Park next season) will be next week’s final.

Mascherano acknowledged that his team had hit their peak form at just the right moment but was quick to spread the credit around his squad.

“We’ve reached the end of the season with a real brotherhood within the team and with everyone pushing forward. It doesn’t matter who starts, we really are a group and the power of the group is immeasurable. It can overcome a lot of things”.