Inter Miami and Messi claim 5-1 win over New York to secure first MLS Cup appearance

On Saturday, Lionel Messi and Inter Miami qualified for the MLS Cup final for the first time, following a decisive 5-1 victory against New York City FC in the Eastern Conference play-offs.

Tadeo Allende's hat-trick, combined with goals by Mateo Silvetti and Telasco Segovia, confirmed Miami's entry into Major League Soccer's title match next Saturday on their home pitch in Fort Lauderdale.

Miami will face the winner of the Western Conference final, contested between San Diego FC and Vancouver Whitecaps later that same Saturday.

Messi alongside his colleagues approach the fixture with strong self-belief, building on yet another fierce, goal-heavy triumph that echoed their 4-0 win over FC Cincinnati in the earlier stage.

Allende, who had struck twice during the Cincinnati success, continued to lead Miami's forward line.

The 26-year-old Argentine striker netted first in the 14th minute, smartly evading New York's offside snare.

A precise pass from Sergio Busquets propelled Allende towards goal, where the winger evaded Raul Gustavo's tackle to fire in and establish a 1-0 lead.

New York scarcely recovered from that initial blow before trailing 2-0.

Miami's ex-Spanish international defender Jordi Alba enjoyed ample room on the left side and delivered an accurate cross into the New York penalty area.

Allende surged into space and rose impeccably to direct a fine header past New York custodian Matthew Freese, nestling the ball into the far corner.

Miami's control eased somewhat when New York netted unexpectedly in the 37th minute, with defender Justin Haak nodding in from Maxi Moralez's free-kick to narrow the score to 2-1 by the interval.

New York gained assurance and could have levelled in the 66th minute as Nicolas Fernandez located replacement Julian Fernandez in the box.

Julian Fernandez's bending effort was pushed aside by Inter's keeper Rocco Rios Novo, a save that proved pivotal.

Miami countered swiftly, with a smooth sequence involving Rodrigo De Paul and Alba culminating in Messi threading a ball to Silvetti, who blasted in to extend the lead to 3-1 on 67 minutes.

Segovia removed all uncertainty by adding Miami's fourth in the 83rd minute, prior to Allende sealing his hat-trick one minute before the end to ignite fervent cheers.