Fort Lauderdale, Fla. – Inter Miami CF awaited the fate of Orlando City SC against Santos Laguna and will face off in another rivalry match in the knockout brackets at the DRV PNK Stadium Wednesday, 2.

Having secured their place in the playoffs as the winners of the South 3 group after triumphing in both of their Leagues Cup group stage fixtures, Miami eagerly awaited the winner of South 2, a match between Club Santos Laguna and Orlando City SC, which took place at Exploria Stadium on Saturday evening.

The game enrolled with excitement and tension right from the start. Raúl López scored the opening goal for the LIGA MX side, but Orlando City answered right-back and took the lead just after the halftime break with a remarkable long-range strike from Mauricio Pereyra into the top corner.

Santos Laguna, determined to secure their playoff spot, equalized at 2-2 through Harold Preciado's looping header around the 60-minute mark setting up for a thrilling final thirty minutes. Both teams fought hard through and through.

In a moment of brilliance, the Peruvian midfielder Wilder Cartagena scored his first-ever goal for the club in the 92-minute, sealing a crucial last-minute victory for Orlando City SC 3-2.

That thrilling match set the stage for a continued rivalry, their second of the season, and a historic Florida derby in the Leagues Cup 2023 playoffs next Wednesday. The last time the two met was in the MLS Rivalry Week, May 20, at the DRV PNK Stadium when Orlando won that battle 3-1.

Now, Inter Miami, led by the legendary Lionel Messi, will face Orlando City for a spot in the round of 16. The winner of this highly anticipated showdown will clash with Mazatlán FC or FC Dallas in the subsequent round.

Kick-off is TBD at the DRV PNK Stadium this Wednesday for this meeting between the clubs.

Sports Action Rundown, Leagues Cup, Inter Miami CF, Orlando City SC, Lionel Messi, Mauricio Pereyra, Wilder Cartagena, Gasner Delvarin Jr.