León beats Inter Miami 3-2 on Arcila's two goals as Messi returns after father’s death

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Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) stands on the field during the second half of a Leagues Cup soccer match against Club León, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Inter Miami forward Leo Messi, left controls the ball as Club León forward Juan Domínguez (8) defends during the second half of a Leagues Cup soccer match, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) — Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) stands on the field during the second half of a Leagues Cup soccer match against Club León, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

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10:05 PM on Wednesday, August 12

By ALANIS THAMES

MIAMI (AP) — Daniel Arcila scored twice, including the go-ahead goal in the 83rd minute, and Club León advanced to the Leagues Cup knockout stage with a 3-2 win over Inter Miami, which saw star Lionel Messi return following the death of his father.

Messi started the second half and received a loud ovation from fans at Miami's Nu Stadium. It was his first match since his father, Jorge, died Saturday at 68. Messi shared a tribute to his father on social media earlier Wednesday, saying he wasn't sure about his playing future.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do without you,” the post said in Spanish, shared on Messi’s Instagram. “I don’t know how to keep going. All I ever did was play soccer, and now I have serious doubts about whether I’ll keep doing it for much longer.”

Jorge Messi played a fundamental role in the soccer star’s career, serving as his agent and managing his business affairs. Messi returned to his native Argentina over the weekend, missing Miami's 2-1 loss to Monterrey on Saturday, but was dressed and on the bench before subbing in for Daniel Pinter at the start of the second half.

Juan Pablo Domínguez also scored for León, which used a three-goal second half to overcome a 1-0 deficit after Pinter put Miami ahead in the 42nd on an assist from Ian Fray. It was the second straight blown second-half lead for Inter Miami.

Arcila scored with a right-footed shot from the center of the box in the 50th, then whipped the go-ahead goal past Óscar García for his fourth goal of the tournament.

Yannick Bright also scored for Inter Miami, which was eliminated after winning the Leagues Cup in 2023 and reaching the final last year.

The Herons' chances of advancing were already bleak after entering the match 12th in the MLS standings following their loss to Monterrey. Only the top four clubs from the MLS standings and the top four from Liga MX will advance to the quarterfinals.

León, after winning its first two matches of the tournament, moved to first in the Liga MX standings.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer