Orlando City SC defeated Santos Laguna 3-2 on Saturday in the 2023 Leagues Cup match after a stoppage-time go-ahead goal by Wilder Cartagena. Here’s what you need to know:
- Orlando City SC advances to play Lionel Messi and Inter Miami next in the round of 32 on Aug. 2 in Fort Lauderdale.
- Cartagena netted a right-footed shot from the center of the box, assisted by César Araújo with a cross.
- Raúl López and Harold Preciado scored for Santos Laguna in the 41st and 58th minutes, respectively. Duncan McGuire and Mauricio Pereyra added goals for Orlando City before Cartagena’s game-winning effort.
OMG. Wilder Cartagena gives #OrlandoCity the lead in stoppage-time. 🇵🇪
Into first-place in the #LeaguesCup2023 group with a late potential winner. pic.twitter.com/8nHOAy389B
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 30, 2023
Backstory
Cartagena is in his second season with Orlando City. Entering Saturday, the 28-year-old has started 15 of the 16 matches he’s played in for the club this season, notching just one assist.
Since signing Messi, Inter Miami has gone 2-0 in the Leagues Cup. Messi has already accounted for three goals and one assist in his short time with the club.
Required reading
- Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas ‘hopeful’ of Lionel Messi Barcelona farewell match at Camp Nou
- Messi’s Inter Miami goal celebration explained: The theories, memes and more
(Photo: Nathan Ray Seebeck / USA Today Sports)