If you follow North American football, you have probably heard about the growing rivalry between Inter Miami CF and Tigres UANL. These two clubs come from different countries, Miami from MLS in the United States, and Tigres from Liga MX in Mexico, but they have already met in some exciting matches that fans will remember for a long time.
Who Are These Two Clubs?
Inter Miami CF joined MLS in 2020 and is co-owned by David Beckham. The club became globally famous after signing Lionel Messi in 2023, alongside other stars like Luis Suárez, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, and Rodrigo De Paul.
Tigres UANL is based in Monterrey, Mexico and is one of the biggest clubs in Liga MX. They have won multiple Mexican league titles and even reached the FIFA Club World Cup final in 2021. Their squad includes top international players like André-Pierre Gignac and Ángel Correa.
Both clubs are strong, which makes their matches a real test of which league, MLS or Liga MX, is more competitive.
The Leagues Cup: Where This Rivalry Was Born
The Leagues Cup is a tournament that brings together MLS and Liga MX clubs every summer. It has been the main stage where Inter Miami and Tigres have met so far.
Match 1 – Leagues Cup 2024 Group Stage
August 3, 2024 | NRG Stadium, Houston | Tigres UANL 2–1 Inter Miami
The first significant chapter in this timeline dates back to August 3, 2024, during the Leagues Cup 2024 group stage, the first time the two sides met in a competitive match. Tigres UANL secured a narrow 2–1 victory over Inter Miami at NRG Stadium in Houston, with Juan Brunetta opening the scoring in the 18th minute.
Looking at the stats, Inter Miami actually had more possession (55.9% vs 44.1%), more shots on goal (5 vs 3), and more corner kicks (7 vs 2), but Tigres were clinical when it mattered.
This result gave Tigres the early advantage in the head-to-head record and showed that games between these two clubs would be tight and decided by small margins.
Match 2 – Leagues Cup 2025 Quarterfinal
August 20, 2025 | Chase Stadium, Fort Lauderdale | Inter Miami 2–1 Tigres UANL
The second chapter came just over a year later, but this time the stakes were much higher, a Leagues Cup quarterfinal, with a semifinal spot on the line.
Before the Match: No Messi
Luis Suárez scored twice on penalty kicks and Inter Miami overcame Lionel Messi’s absence to beat Tigres UANL 2–1. Messi had not trained ahead of the game, and assistant coach Javier Morales told reporters: “We all go off what Messi is feeling. He wasn’t feeling the best. We preferred to not risk him.”
The Match Minute by Minute
23rd Minute – Inter Miami 1–0
Miami looked more comfortable from the start and got on the scoresheet 23 minutes in. Telasco Segovia sent in a cross that Javier Aquino blocked with his hand, and though controversial, the referee awarded a penalty. Luis Suárez converted to give the Herons an early lead.
First Half – Miami Dominate
Javier Mascherano’s game plan worked well in the first half, with Miami’s high-press stopping Tigres from building their game and neutralizing the quality of Juan Brunetta and Fernando Gorriarán.
Half-Time Drama
Miami coach Javier Mascherano was given a red card before the second half began. He was seen talking on the phone and giving instructions after being sent off, which is prohibited per Leagues Cup rules.
67th Minute – Inter Miami 1–1
Ángel Correa had briefly equalized for Tigres in the 67th minute, and Edgar Lopez came close with a late header that hit both posts. Correa got past a defender and fired a right-footed shot past Ustari to level the match at 1–1.
89th Minute – Inter Miami 2–1
Five minutes from full time, Rodrigo De Paul fired a shot that made contact with Aquino’s hand again. After a quick VAR check, Miami were awarded their second penalty. Suárez stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way to bag his brace and restore Miami’s lead.
Final Seconds
The match ended dramatically as Edgar Lopez’s header hit both posts but didn’t cross the line, allowing Miami to advance to face Orlando City in the semifinals.
Final Score: Inter Miami 2 – 1 Tigres UANL
Suárez defied his 38 years by running 5.7 miles, creating two chances, completing 89% of his passes, and getting the better of goalkeeper Nahuel Guzmán on two occasions including an 89th-minute game-winner.
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Head-to-Head Summary
Date | Competition | Venue | Result
August 3, 2024 | Leagues Cup Group Stage | Houston, USA | Tigres 2–1 Miami
August 20, 2025 | Leagues Cup Quarterfinal | Fort Lauderdale, USA | Miami 2–1 Tigres
Total: 1 win each. Both clubs have scored 3 goals across two meetings.
What This Rivalry Means for North American Football
These two matches tell an important story about football in North America. When the Leagues Cup began, many people expected Liga MX teams to easily beat MLS clubs. But results like Miami’s 2025 win over Tigres show that MLS is closing the gap fast.
Without their eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, Miami still registered more shots (14 to 13), more shots on target (4 to 2), and a higher expected goals figure (2.24 xG to 0.78) than Tigres.
Tigres were the first of all four Liga MX teams to go out in the quarterfinals, part of a night where all MLS sides advanced to the Leagues Cup 2025 semifinals. That says a lot about how much MLS has grown.
What Comes Next?
Both clubs will likely meet again in future Leagues Cup editions or other CONCACAF competitions. Inter Miami went on to beat Florida rivals Orlando City in the semifinals, securing a 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup berth and moving one step closer to a second Leagues Cup title.
Tigres, meanwhile, will be looking to bounce back and prove themselves in the next tournament. Football fans across the USA and Mexico will be watching closely for the next chapter of this rivalry.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many times have Inter Miami and Tigres UANL played each other?
As of August 2025, the two clubs have met twice in official competition, both times in the Leagues Cup. The head-to-head record is level at one win each.
2. Who scored the goals in the 2025 Leagues Cup quarterfinal?
Luis Suárez scored twice for Inter Miami from the penalty spot (23′ and 89′). Ángel Correa scored for Tigres in the 67th minute.
3. Did Lionel Messi play in the 2025 quarterfinal against Tigres?
No. Messi missed the match due to a muscle injury. He was at Chase Stadium but did not play.
4. What is the Leagues Cup?
The Leagues Cup is a football tournament that features clubs from MLS and Liga MX. It is played every summer and has helped create exciting new rivalries between clubs from both countries.
5. Who won the first match between Inter Miami and Tigres UANL?
Tigres UANL won the first match 2–1 during the Leagues Cup 2024 group stage on August 3, 2024, at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.
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