FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Orlando City's run in the Leagues Cup is over after the Lions fell to Inter Miami 3-1 on Wednesday night at DRV PNK Stadium.

In a match that did not start until 9:35 p.m. because of inclement weather, Inter Miami star Lionel Messi was the difference-maker, scoring the first and final goal for his team in the match.

Orlando City's César Araújo tied the score in the 17th minute. The goal came after a corner kick won from a Mauricio Pereyra free kick. Pereyra played the corner low to Iván Angulo for a shot on goal. Miami’s Drake Callender stopped the shot, but it rebounded to Araújo, who put the ball into the net. It was Araújo's only goal of Leagues Cup 2023 and his second of the year across all competitions.  

The Herons advanced to the Leagues Cup Round of 16 against FC Dallas on Aug. 6. They have not lost since Messi, a World Cup champion for Argentina and seven-time Ballon d’Or winner as the world’s best player in a given year, began playing with the team on July 21.

The Lions do not play again until Aug. 20 in Major League Soccer action against the Fire in Chicago.

“We weren't sharp enough up front, probably could have been more aggressive when we had the ball," Lions coach Oscar Pareja said. "And we're going to take the blame and in our team. We couldn't score, and then they open the scoring in the first half and [again] in the second half very early. We could have avoided that but, honestly, we are very disappointed with the game [being decided] in two places....I think it's clear that the rivalry [with Inter Miami] is going to be wider and better, and we're ready to do it. We will continue and obviously, the [regular] season is there.”

Orlando City and Inter Miami were originally supposed to see Messi for the first time in a MLS match at Orlando on Sept. 24.

In the previous meeting of the teams on May 20, Orlando City had dominated Inter Miami 3-1.