Inter Miami and Necaxa drew 1-1 on Saturday night, August 2, at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, during the second round of the Leagues Cup 2025. The match, part of the tournament’s early stage, was marked by the expulsion of Inter Miami’s defender Maximiliano Joel Falcon Picart at the 17th minute of the first half, following a harsh foul reviewed by VAR. The game, still ongoing, saw intense moments with goals from Telasco Segovia for Inter Miami and Tomás Badaloni for Necaxa. The clash reflects the competitiveness of the tournament, which brings together MLS and Liga MX clubs, with both teams vying for a spot in the quarterfinals. The red card shifted the game’s dynamics, forcing Inter Miami to reorganize defensively.
The match started with Inter Miami pressing, capitalizing on home crowd support. At the 12th minute, Telasco Segovia scored with an assist from Rodrigo De Paul, showcasing the home team’s technical quality. However, Falcon Picart’s expulsion five minutes later changed the scenario, giving Necaxa more field control. The Mexican side equalized at the 33rd minute through Badaloni, who capitalized on a Raul Sanchez assist. So far, the draw persists, with the game showing balance and chances for both sides.
- Key moments of the first half:
- 8′: Lionel Messi’s injury, substituted by Federico Redondo.
- 12′: Inter Miami’s goal by Telasco Segovia, assisted by Rodrigo De Paul.
- 17′: Red card for Maximiliano Joel Falcon Picart after VAR review.
- 33′: Necaxa’s equalizer by Tomás Badaloni, assisted by Raul Sanchez.
- 45+2′: Yellow cards for Luis Suárez (Inter Miami) and Cristian Calderón (Necaxa).
Thrilling first half at Chase Stadium
The game began with Inter Miami setting the pace, leveraging the quality of midfielders like Sérgio Busquets and Rodrigo De Paul. The Chase Stadium crowd roared with every move, but Lionel Messi’s injury at the 8th minute was a blow. Substituted by Federico Redondo, the home team kept pushing and scored four minutes later through Segovia in a well-crafted play. However, Falcon Picart’s red card shifted the momentum. The defender, after a foul on a Necaxa player, had his punishment reviewed by VAR, resulting in his ejection.
Necaxa, coached by Fernando Gago, capitalized on the numerical advantage. The Mexican team intensified wing plays, with Kevin Rosero and Agustín Palavecino creating chances. At the 33rd minute, Badaloni tied the game, finishing precisely after a Raul Sanchez pass. The goal leveled the contest, with Inter Miami needing to adapt to the loss of a defender. Until the break, the match remained heated, with fouls and set pieces keeping the tension high in the stadium.
Dynamics shifted by the expulsion
Falcon Picart’s red card was the turning point of the first half. With one player down, Inter Miami had to tweak its strategy, with Busquets taking a more central role in containment. Federico Redondo’s entry added energy to the midfield, but the absence of Messi and a starting defender limited offensive options. Still, the home team held 54% possession against Necaxa’s 46%, per partial match stats.
On the other hand, Necaxa found spaces to exploit. The Mexican side, coming off a 3-1 win over Atlanta United in the previous round, showed tactical organization. Players like Badaloni and Diber Cambindo were key in attack, while the defense, led by Cristian Calderón, withstood Inter Miami’s advances. The ongoing draw reflects the balance between the teams, with Necaxa leveraging the extra man to press.
- Match stats up to the 49th minute:
- Possession: Inter Miami 54%, Necaxa 46%.
- Shots on goal: Inter Miami 4, Necaxa 3.
- Fouls committed: Inter Miami 7, Necaxa 12.
- Corners: Inter Miami 2, Necaxa 0.
- Saves: Rocco Ríos Novo (Inter Miami) 3, Luis Unsain (Necaxa) 1.
Recent team performances
Inter Miami entered the match on the back of a 2-1 victory over Atlas FC in the Leagues Cup opener. Coached by Javier Mascherano, the team has shown consistency, with 12 wins, 6 draws, and 4 losses in 22 games this season, including MLS matches. The squad relies on the leadership of players like Luis Suárez and Sérgio Busquets, plus the recent addition of Rodrigo De Paul, who debuted against Atlas and made an impact with an assist against Necaxa.
Necaxa, meanwhile, is also in good form. Their 3-1 win over Atlanta United in the Leagues Cup’s first round boosted confidence. In Liga MX, the Mexican side has solid results, such as a 1-1 draw with Club América and a 3-1 victory over Querétaro. Badaloni, who scored against Inter Miami, is a key piece in attack alongside Cambindo.
Decisive plays and strategies
The first half was marked by high-intensity moments, with both teams creating chances. Inter Miami relied on wing plays, with Jordi Alba and Marcelo Weigandt seeking spaces. However, Falcon Picart’s expulsion forced a focus on defensive solidity, with Busquets and Redondo working to contain Necaxa’s advances. The home side still created opportunities from set pieces, with two corners and 12 free kicks.
Necaxa exploited their attackers’ speed. Kevin Rosero and Agustín Palavecino posed threats, while Badaloni stood out for his efficiency in the box. The substitution of Diego de Buen for Johan Rojas Echavarria at the 46th minute added dynamism to the Mexican midfield. The visitors also benefited from seven free kicks, maintaining pressure on Inter Miami’s defense.
- Plays that defined the game so far:
- 12′: Segovia’s goal, opening the score with a precise shot.
- 17′: Falcon Picart’s expulsion, leaving Inter Miami with 10 players.
- 33′: Badaloni’s goal, tying the game after a well-worked move by Necaxa.
- 45+2′: Yellow cards for Suárez and Calderón in heated disputes.
- 49′: Free kick for Inter Miami, with a chance for a new push.
Expectations for the rest of the match
With the game still ongoing, the 1-1 draw keeps the contest open. Inter Miami, despite being a man down, has shown resilience, backed by the Chase Stadium crowd. The team needs to maintain defensive solidity to prevent Necaxa from capitalizing on their numerical advantage. Players like Suárez and De Paul will be crucial in seeking a goal to secure a win.
Necaxa, in turn, must keep exploiting gaps in Inter Miami’s defense. Rojas Echavarria’s entry added speed to the midfield, and the Mexican side can rely on quick plays to surprise. Gago’s experience, as a former Real Madrid player, will be key to adjusting tactics in the second half and chasing the three points.
Importance of the clash in the Leagues Cup
The Leagues Cup 2025 pits MLS and Liga MX clubs against each other, aiming to crown the best teams in North and Central America. For Inter Miami, a win is vital to solidify their position among the top four in the MLS standings, securing a quarterfinal spot. Necaxa, meanwhile, aims to repeat their performance against Atlanta United and advance in the Liga MX table.
Both teams have shown quality in their domestic leagues, and the direct clash at Chase Stadium is a tough test. The partial draw reflects the tournament’s competitiveness, where ties lead to penalty shootouts, heightening the drama. The match, still in progress, promises more thrills in the second half.
