Penalty Drama in Miami: Suárez Seals 7–6 Shootout Win for Inter Over Necaxa After 2–2 Thriller

Alonso Contreras
Aug 3
2 min read

By Alonso Contreras

Miami, FL — In a match that had everything—goals, red cards, woodwork strikes, and nail-biting penalties—Inter Miami CF edged out Club Necaxa 7–6 in a dramatic shootout after a fiery 2–2 draw at full time. The night ended with Luis Suárez thundering home the decisive penalty to the top corner, sending the home fans into raptures and securing Miami’s spot in the next round.

End-to-End Regulation Time: Goals, Grit & Red Cards

The match began at a blistering pace with Telasco Segovia putting Inter Miami ahead in the 12th minute with a stunning right-footed strike from outside the box, assisted by Rodrigo De Paul. But the hosts' momentum was stalled just five minutes later when Maximiliano Falcón was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge, leaving Miami down to 10 men.

Necaxa took advantage, and in the 33rd minute, Tomás Badaloni leveled the score with a sharp finish from inside the area after good work from Raúl Sánchez.

The visitors would strike again in the 81st, as Ricardo Monreal finished low to the far post following a slick pass from Agustín Palavecino, putting Necaxa up 2–1 and seemingly in control.

But Inter Miami fought back late. Deep into stoppage time (90+2’), Jordi Alba rose to meet a De Paul corner and headed it into the top left corner to tie the match 2–2, igniting wild scenes in the crowd.

Shootout Showdown: Calm Converts & a Goalkeeper's Miss

With no extra time, the game went straight to penalties, and both teams executed remarkably well—until the pressure finally broke Necaxa.

Each of the first ten shooters converted with clinical precision, including calm finishes from Rodrigo De Paul, Jordi Alba, Federico Redondo, and Benjamín Cremaschi for Miami. Even Necaxa goalkeeper Ezequiel Unsain stepped up and buried his penalty to keep the shootout alive.

Then came the key moment: Tomás Badaloni, who had scored in regulation, had his penalty saved by Rocco Ríos Novo—the only miss of the shootout.

Luis Suárez, with the weight of the result on his shoulders, stepped up and blasted his penalty into the top left corner to seal the win at 7–6.

Key Performers:

Rocco Ríos Novo (Inter Miami): Made seven saves in regulation and extra time, including the decisive penalty stop.
Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami): Orchestrated midfield play, assisted both goals, and calmly scored his penalty.
Jordi Alba (Inter Miami): Defensive work, a clutch goal, and a composed penalty capped an inspired night.
Tomás Badaloni (Necaxa): Scored once and looked dangerous—until his costly penalty miss.

Penalty Shootout Summary:

Team	Penalty Takers	Result
Inter Miami	De Paul, Cremaschi, Alba, Redondo, Suárez	✅✅✅✅✅✅✅
Necaxa	Palavecino, Rojas, Monreal, Unsain, Badaloni	✅✅✅✅✅✅❌