Inter Miami CF kicked off the South American portion of their 2025 preseason tour with a penalty shootout win against Universitario after the game ended 0-0 in front of a crowd of 80,000 fans at the Estadio Monumental “U” in Lima, Peru.
Manager Javier Mascherano led the team in his second game as head coach, putting Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez on the attack, signaling a serious approach to the clash.
The Argentine manager handed a debut to new signing Tadeo Allende, giving his star player a chance to play over 70 minutes, then replaced him with Robert Taylor.
The two sides battled hard during regular time, with Herron having 11 shots and two on target while enjoying 60 percent possession, but couldn’t find the back of the net.
With a scoreless draw at the final whistle, both sides went to the penalty spot to decide the game.
Like the preseason match against Club America in Las Vegas, the draw alluded to automatic penalties with no extra time.
While Universitario’s Jairo Velez missed his team’s third attempt, Inter Miami took the lead by hitting all four of its first penalty kicks before Yannick Bright headed in the final attempt to seal the win over the Peruvian side.
Messi, Suarez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets did not take their penalties after being substituted before the final whistle, but celebrated the win with the team afterwards.
Miami now has a preseason record of two wins, both matches won on penalties under new manager Mascherano.
The team will now travel to Panama and face Sporting San Miguelito at the Estadio Rommel Fernandez on February 2, before concluding the South and Central American portion of the preseason with a game against Olimpia at the Olimpico Metropolitano in Honduras.
