South Florida Local News

Today is Sunday, Nov. 30, the 334th day of 2025. There are 31 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On Nov. 30,2013, actor Paul Walker, star of the “Fast & Furious” movie series, was killed in a single-car accident north of Los Angeles; Walker’s friend Roger Rodas, who was driving the car, also died. Walker was 40 years old.

Also on this date:

In 1782, the United States and Britain signed preliminary peace articles in Paris for ending the Revolutionary War; the Treaty of Paris was signed in September 1783.

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In 1936, London’s Crystal Palace exhibition hall was destroyed by a massive fire.

In 1993, President Bill Clinton signed the Brady Bill, which required a five-day waiting period for handgun purchases and background checks of prospective buyers.

In 1999, an estimated 40,000 demonstrators clashed with police as they protested against the World Trade Organization as the WTO convened in Seattle.

In 2004, “Jeopardy!” fans saw Ken Jennings end his 74-game winning streak as he lost to real estate agent Nancy Zerg. Years later, Jennings became the host of “Jeopardy!”

In 2012, Israel approved the construction of 3,000 homes in Jewish settlements on occupied lands, drawing swift condemnation from Palestinians a day after their successful bid for recognition by the United Nations.

In 2018, former President George H.W. Bush, a World War II hero who rose through the political ranks to the nation’s highest office, died at his Houston home at the age of 94; his wife of more than 70 years, Barbara Bush, had died in April.

In 2024, Syrian insurgents took over most of Aleppo, the country’s largest city, facing little or no resistance from government troops. The insurgents would capture the capital of Damascus days later in December as President Bashar al-Assad fled the country, ending his family’s decades-long rule of Syria.

Today’s Birthdays:

• Filmmaker Woody Allen is 90.
• Filmmaker Ridley Scott is 88.
• Historian and screenwriter Geoffrey C. Ward is 85.
• Filmmaker Terrence Malick is 82.
• Playwright David Mamet (MA’-meht) is 78.
• Actor Mandy Patinkin is 73.
• Singer Billy Idol is 70.
• Historian Michael Beschloss is 70.
• Comedian Colin Mochrie is 68.
• Actor-filmmaker Ben Stiller is 60.
• U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is 54.
• Singer Clay Aiken is 47.
• Actor-filmmaker Gael García Bernal is 47.
• Actor Elisha Cuthbert is 43.
• Actor Kaley Cuoco (KWOH’-koh) is 40.
• Model Chrissy Teigen is 40.
• Chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen is 35.

The FHSAA on early Sunday morning released its reseeding for the football state final-four games in the 7A-1A classifications. Here are the matchups involving schools from Broward and Palm Beach counties:

Friday at 7:30 p.m. unless noted

6A

West Boca Raton at Seffner Armwood

West Broward at Gainesville Buccholz

5A

Riverdale at St. Thomas Aquinas

4A

American Heritage at Fort Walton Beach Choctawhatchee

2A

Cardinal Gibbons at Jacksonville Bolles

1A

Carrollwood Day at Cardinal Newman

Trinity Christian Academy at Chaminade-Madonna

Florida Invitational Tournament (FIT)

7A-4A championship

At 7 p.m., Thursday in Sumterville

Dr. Joaquin Garcia vs. Tate

 

MIAMI — Observations and other notes of interest from Saturday night’s 138-135 loss to the Detroit Pistons:

– For a rare time, the Heat have the needed size.

– Which means little if you don’t maximize it.

– Or put it together.

– So for the second game in a row it was Bam Adebayo starting.

– But Kel’el Ware off the bench.

– So get Adebayo to switch out to the perimeter and it’s the ability to work against short, shorter, small and smaller.

– And it’s not as if Ware is fully adept at the nuance of rim protection.

– (See: Third period, Paul Reed double pump, layup.)

– Such is the reality of having a roster loaded with quality wings.

– And a roster where your other big man on a standard deal, Nikola Jovic, has not been very good this season, and Saturday wasn’t even that.

– So 42 paint points for the Pistons Saturday’s first half.

– And 76 overal.

– Bully Ball 1, Small Ball 0.

– Yes, if the Heat shot better, the difference could have been mitigated.

– Yes, the late rally was fun.

– But size matters.

– Especially when otherwise surrounded by quality, which the Pistons have in abundance.

– So even without the incredible bulk of sidelined Jalen Duren, the Pistons pounded and attacked.

– Leading to whether the Heat instead now decide to stand tall.

– Because getting pushed around, as Saturday showed, is no fun.

– And takes the edge off any rally.

– For the second consecutive game, the Heat opened with the smaller-ball lineup of Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins, Norm Powell, Tyler Herro and Davion Mitchell, leaving Ware in reserve for a second consecutive game.

– Ware this time was first off the Heat bench, in a lineup that had Adebayo still on the floor.

– Such, however, was not often the approach in this one.

– With Jaime Jaquez Jr. sidelined, Pelle Larsson then played as the Heat’s first wing off the bench.

– Jovic also entered at that point.

– Dru Smith followed for nine deep.

–  With Simone Fontecchio out of the rotation mix.

– With Jaime Jaquez Jr. sidelined by a groin strain, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra offered an appreciation pregame of what was lost for the night.

– “You just have clarity with that second unit,” Spoelstra said of the sixth-man niche Jaquez has carved amid this season’s revival. “I think that clarity has helped him. He knows when he’s going in the game. He can see the game for the first six minutes.”

– Spoelstra added, “I think everybody has welcomed the boost of energy that he brings, immediately, as soon as he comes into the game.”

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– Spoelstra said Jaquez has been about all the right things.

– “He’s really worked at improving the things that he’s needed to improve on, to be able to maximize his strengths, which is getting downhill, getting in the paint,” Spoelstra said. “But the playmaking and the decision making has improved to allow him to be that aggressive.”

– Yes, Spoelstra monitored Friday’s results in the NBA Cup that allowed his idle team to advance.

– Monitored to a degree.

– “I was watching two of the games at the same time,” Spoelstra said. “I just got more confused. And then in the last four minutes of both games, I was starting to get stressed out. Really, I don’t want to root for anybody,  especially not these teams.”

– So? “So I put on a movie instead and then waited,” Spoelstra said of the clarity Saturday morning delivered.

– Boxing legend Bernard Hopkins was among the faces in the crowd.

– As was former Heat forward Jamal Mashburn.

MIAMI — These are the spots in the schedule you circle: at home after a two-day break against an opponent playing on the second night of a back-to-back set after a down-to-the-wire home loss 1,400 miles away the night before.

And, still, the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons were too good for the scheduling to make a difference.

Barely.

And thus the end of the Miami Heat’s six-game winning streak, despite a furious late rally, with a 138-135 loss Saturday night at Kaseya Center.

“Detroit showed us why they’ve been number one in the East so far,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “We’ve been an up-and-coming team but that was a different level for big parts of the game.”

With Cade Cunningham doing all the things for the Pistons expected of an elite leading man, closing with 29 points, eight assists and four rebounds, not even solid nights from the Heat’s Andrew Wiggins and Norman Powell and a valiant late surge were enough to compensate.

Wiggins closed with 31 points, Powell with 28, on a night Tyler Herro, on his third game back from preseason ankle surgery, closed at 6 of 17 from the field, albeit still with 24 points.

The Pistons also got 26 points from veteran forward Tobias Harris, as Detroit improved to 16-4 and the Heat dropped to 13-7.

“I think their force on both ends of the court kind of flattened us out,” Spoelstra said “And sometimes you need to see what it is in order to take that next step.”

The Heat complete their four-game homestand Monday night against the Los Angeles Clippers, before then heading out for three of their next four on the road.

Five Degrees of Heat from Saturday night’s game:

1. Game flow: It was a dreadful first period for a Heat team coming off their two days of rest, down 36-23 after one, at 6 of 22 from the field, including 2 of 10 on 3-pointers.

It didn’t get much better in the second period, with the Heat down 71-59 at the half, the 71 matching the Pistons high for a first half this season.

The Heat then went down 19 in the third period, taking a 108-91 deficit into the fourth.

Detroit went up 22 from there, but it wasn’t over.

The Heat then closed within 131-123 with two minutes to play, with a Herro 3-pointer making it 131-126 with 85 seconds to play. Later, three free throws by Powell with 55.5 seconds to play cutting the deficit to 131-129.

From there, Pistons basket, Heat basket and Pistons basket left the Heat down four with 20.2 seconds to play, the rally ultimately too little, too late.

“Those last five minutes, you could just see us scrambling, really making plays and doing things with incredible urgency,” Spoelstra said. “But that’s our identity, but that wasn’t enough tonight.

“Defensively, it just took us a long time to be aggressive.”

2. Too small: Even with Pistons bruiser Jalen Duren sidelined, the Pistons had their way against the Heat smallish lineup, including 42 paint points in the first half and 76 overall, most against the Heat this season.

“They made a point to get into the paint,” Wiggins said.

The Heat again opened with Bam Adebayo surrounded by wings Wiggins, Powell, Herro and Davion Mitchell.

That again had 7-foot Kel’el Ware playing in reserve, with the Heat able to offer little in the way of rim deterrence.

Detroit’s power play was such that Pistons journeyman reserve Paul Reed was arguably the game’s most productive big man until Adebayo came on late to close with 15 points and 10 rebounds.

“They’re a paint team,” Powell said. “That’s who they are.”

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3. Herro hunting: A reality the Heat will have to get used to again is opposing offenses hunting Herro defensively, with the Pistons opening by relentlessly forcing Herro switched onto their scorers.

In Herro’s injury absence, the Heat moved back to more switching defenses, which now means having to deal with the Herro hunt that stood as a prime liability in last season’s blowout playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

On one early set Saturday, it meant the Heat running a help defender to Herro’s side, resulting in an open 3-pointer for Duncan Robinson.

On the other end, Herro opened 0 for 7 before converting a 3-pointer early in the second period.

Asked when he might be fully closer to himself in his comeback, Herro said, “I’m still working. I work every day at my craft. So tomorrow. maybe?”

4. Back in: A game after being moved out of the rotation, Nikola Jovic was back in the mix with Jaime Jaquez Jr. sidelined by a groin strain.

It was the first absence of the season for Jaquez, after the first benching of the season for Jovic.

It was another uneven run for Jovic.

“We’re going to continue to push for that development,” Spoelstra said. “And the beginning of the year so far has been a little bit uneven, but that’s going to happen to young guys. I’m not stressed out about that.

“A challenge when you’re coaching a team that has several young guys, it’s probably not realistic that everybody’s going to hit at the same time. So there’s gonna be some little ups and downs. But he’s dedicated. We’ll continue to work with him.”

Jovic struggled mightily, with five turnovers in his 10:12.

“Look he needs to get in better rhythm,” Spoelstra said. “He needs to put in some work. But he’ll be just fine.

“He’ll get there. He’ll get in a better rhythm.”

5. Trade winds: Honored with a pregame video tribute for his standing as the Heat’s all-time leader in 3-pointers, Robinson came out and drained an early pair of 3-pointers.

By contrast, Simone Fontecchio, the player obtained from the Pistons in the trade that sent Robinson to the Pistons, was out of the Heat rotation, even with Jaquez sidelined.

It was the first time Fontecchio was held out this season, shooting 5 of 33 on 3-pointers over the previous five games.

Robinson closed with 18 points on 7-of-14 shooting, including 3 of 9 on 3-pointers.

“Obviously we know how dangerous and capable he is,” Herro said, “It’s tough, because when he gets open, it just opens everything for everyone else.”

FORT LAUDERDALE — When Lionel Messi recorded his 405th career assist Saturday night, it was a nice pass, an international record and also gave Inter Miami some necessary breathing room with a 3-1 lead en route to their Eastern Conference championship.

“Mes-si!” the latest sellout crowd at Chase Stadium chanted. “Mes-si!”

Still, the moment that spoke of not just this night but Messi’s larger adventure with Inter Miami came after the celebratory fireworks and obligatory confetti following a 5-1 win against New York FC. Messi stood on the field 30 minutes after the game, milling around, celebrating the three goals of teammate Taddeo Allende, sharing a laugh with team owner Jorge Mas and generally enjoying this next step.

In the coming week, the kind the kind of question that’s been asked since his grand, MLS adventure started will be repeated:

Does he need to win next Saturday’s championship to confirm this chapter as a success?

Answer: Let’s not be silly.

Messi got MLS an Apple TV deal, brought sellouts to every stadium, led the league with 29 goals and 20 assists in 28 games this season and, as Saturday’s final scene showed, seems to be enjoying himself all the way.

This isn’t LeBron James coming to the Miami Heat to reach the mountaintop. This isn’t even close to soccer’s mountaintop anyway. Whatever hardware Inter Miami could win at home next Saturday would be relegated into the overflow portion of his trophy case.

So, no, Messi isn’t the issue here.

The better question: Does Inter Miami as an organization need a title to confirm the years spent chasing Messi, the millions of dollars spent on him and the surrounding European talent and all the international attention around this team?

That’s a different matter. It’s one Inter Miami look ready to provide a good answer to, too. They’ve now outscored their three playoff opponents 13-1 over the past three games after a regular season in which they only earned the third seed.

“We got hammered tonight with five goals, and the way we conceded the goals was so unlike us,’ New York FC coach Pascal Jansen said. “I haven’t seen that before.”

Nor had Inter Miami until a few games ago when they got some odd fortune to line up with Messi. Nashville appealed three days after their Game 2 loss and the MLS suspended Inter Miami legend Luis Suarez for the deciding Game 3.

His replacement, 19-year-old Matteo Silvetti, played with such speed in that 4-0 clinching win that coach Javier Mascherano made a bold decision. He started Silvetti over Suarez in the succeeding game against Cincinnati. Miami won that 4-0, too.

“It was a hard decision,’’ Mascherano said. “But the results made it easier.”

Messi is the creative force field for Inter Miami. But there was Allende taking the kind of long passes that have become staples to this reborn offense and scoring Saturday’s opening two goals. There, too was Silvetti accelerating en route to taking a beautiful, back-heel pass from Jordi Alba to make it 4-1.

“Perfect,’’ Mascherano called the play.

Jansen had a different word.

“The word is naivete,’’ he said of being outscored 3-0 after intermission. “We were very naïve in the second half.”

You expect Inter Miami’s experience to create such moments for young teams like New York. But even as Inter Miami climbs to the title game it’s undergoing change as Allende and Silvetti show. Messi’s Barcelona teammates, Alba and Sergio Busquets, already have announced their retirements after this season.

Suarez might not be far behind considering his benching of late.

That means only Messi is assured back among the legendary names to open the franchise’s new stadium in Miami. That puts more meaning into next Saturday’s championship. It’s not that Messi needs to win to prove anything. What’s left to prove?

But he surely wants to win to end this time with his good friends. And to start this time with his young forwards. As he stood walking around the field long after Saturday’s win, he seems to be enjoying this in a way that says this chapter is just what he wants. Does he need a MLS title? No, but it’d be nice to have anyway.

GAINESVILLE — The Florida–Florida State rivalry died Saturday night at The Swamp, and the body barely twitched.

Oh, sure, technically the game was played. The helmets clacked. The bands played. The mascots waved. And, yes, the Florida Gators, behind bulldozing running back Jaden Baugh’s 266 rushing yards, ended their nightmarish season with a dominating 40-21 victory over Florida State — if you want to call surviving this mudslide of a football season a victory of any sort.

Let’s be honest with ourselves, with our neighbors and with whatever football gods we deeply wronged over the past decade: this season’s edition of the once-mighty rivalry felt more like two abandoned shopping carts drifting toward each other in a Publix parking lot.

The Gators ended their season at 4-8; Florida State at 5-7. Florida’s lopsided victory was like finding a $10 bill on the sidewalk after your car got repossessed. Sure, it’s a temporary positive, but it changes nothing about the bleakness of your situation.

Now Gator Nation turns its attention to moving on from the Lane Kiffin rejection and quietly Googling Tulane coach Jon Sumrall, who has emerged as the frontrunner for UF’s vacated head-coaching job and could be named as Florida’s new coach by Sunday afternoon. In other words, the Gators were hoping to board the Lane Train and will likely end up in a Jon Boat.

This was the Swamp’s first home game since Kiffin snubbed the Gators — a brush-off so devastating that fans reacted like a middle-schooler being dumped via text message. You could feel it in the air; that lingering sour pit-in-the-stomach heartbreak of a fanbase forced to downshift from imagining Kiffin’s swaggering arrival to debating whether the defensive-minded Sumrall is the “right cultural fit.”

It just goes to show just how far both of these programs have fallen. Florida–Florida State used to be The Game in this state. Used to be the Thanksgiving weekend feast — Steve Spurrier and Bobby Bowden trading haymakers, national titles on the line, entire seasons building toward this one glorious moment. Instead, this year’s game on Saturday evening at The Swamp felt like an obligation, like jury duty with shoulder pads.

This rivalry once determined the Sugar Bowl, the Orange Bowl or the national championship. On this night, it would decide whether the Seminoles would pathetically get an invitation to the Gasparilla Bowl.

They didn’t.

Not even close.

Instead, after Baugh steamrolled the Seminoles for the second-most rushing yards in school history (behind only Emmitt Smith) and struggling UF quarterback DJ Lagway threw three TD passes, FSU athletic director Michael Alford now will absorb even more backlash for deciding to stick with embattled head coach Mike Norvell. It’s no secret that the only reason Norvell still has a job is because Florida State boosters collectively shook their couch cushions and came up about $53,999,982 short of covering his contract buyout.

You don’t want to keep a coach at $54 million. You get stuck with a coach at $54 million.

But at least Norvell still has a job. Billy Napier is already a ghost haunting the Swamp, drifting silently through the hallways like regret wearing an embroidered Gator Head polo. The Gators were coached by Billy Gonzales, who until his one and only victory Saturday night has looked less like an interim coach and more like a man who just inherited a condemned house and has gamely been trying to hold up the ceiling tiles with a broomstick.

Yes, Florida won, but the victory over a down-and-out FSU team still felt hollow. And this rivalry hasn’t just taken a year off; it has completely disintegrated.

For the second consecutive year, the two teams entered the game unranked — the first time that has happened since the mid-1960s.

And the Florida win and the FSU loss was the moment when everyone — every booster, every fan, every alum, every poor soul clutching a plastic cup of warm stadium beer — probably had the same thought:

Let’s just get this season over with.

Give the sellout crowd that filled the stadium credit for at least providing a decent atmosphere. Honestly, I expected this to be more like a candlelight vigil than a football game. I didn’t expect to hear cheers and boos, I thought it would be a collective sigh of exhaustion from both fan bases.

And, yes, there were actually FSU fans in the stadium, but they weren’t rowdy. They were more like tourists visiting the ruins of an ancient civilization: “Wow, I heard they used to win championships here. Fascinating.”

Look, rivalries are supposed to be emotional fuel — pride, bragging rights, hatred, history. But when both teams limp into the game with losing records; when one has already fired its coach and the other can’t afford to; when the most exciting storyline is which bowl game will tolerate you … the rivalry stops being a rivalry.

Saturday night wasn’t Florida vs. Florida State.

It was Melancholy vs. Malaise.

It was Existential Crisis vs. Budgetary Restraints.

Florida may have won on the scoreboard, but nobody truly won on this night.

And as the lights dimmed over The Swamp, you could almost feel Bowden shaking his head from the heavens and Spurrier shaking his from a stadium luxury suite, wondering how their beloved programs had turned a once-glittering rivalry into a soggy, slow-motion pillow fight.

The Gators won big.

But the rivalry?

It’s gone.

All that remains is the hope — faint and flickering – that someday someone will resurrect it from this pit of irrelevance.

Email me at mbianchi@orlandosentinel.com. Hit me up on social media @BianchiWrites and listen to my new radio show “Game On” every weekday from 3 to 6 p.m. on FM 96.9, AM 740 and 969TheGame.com/listen 

GAINESVILLE — If Florida wasn’t going to play football again in 2025, the Gators wanted to make sure Florida State didn’t either.

A year with little to celebrate finished on a high note as the Gators ended Florida State’s season during a 40-21 win to stop a four-game skid Saturday night in the Swamp.

Tailback Jadan Baugh led the way with a career-high 266 rushing yards and two scores while quarterback DJ Lagway threw three touchdowns for the first time since a season-opening win against Long Island University. 

“The way we finished today, it was the first time we played a complete game,” said Billy Gonzales after his first win as interim coach. “It takes everybody on a football team to be successful. Finally, we had that the last game of the season. I’m super proud of these guys.”

Since the 55-0 opening win against an overmatched FCS opponent, the Gators (4-8) have muddled through a miserable season as the SEC’s lowest-scoring attack entering Saturday. Against FSU (5-7), Florida — led by sophomore stars Baugh and Lagway on Senior Night — rose to the occasion to end the Seminoles’ hopes for a bowl bid.

Baugh finished with the most rushing yards by a UF back other than Emmitt Smith’s 316 in 1989 against New Mexico.

“Being in a category with those guys, it’s just amazing,” Baugh said. “I don’t think I can wrap my head around it yet.”

Florida sophomore Jadan Baugh (13) ran for 266 yards during the Gators' 40-21 win against Florida State, the most in the series by a UF running back. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Playing in his final game, center Jake Slaughter was glad to be part of the historic performance.

“Jadan ran like somebody was trying to kill him all night,” he said.

A sellout crowd of 90,007 at the Swamp savored each of his 38 carries during the bloodletting.

If not for a missed extra point by Trey Smack after the final score, ending a streak of 100 straight PATs without a miss, UF would have recorded its second straight win in the series by at least 20 points — a first since UF beat FSU by at least 20 points three consecutive seasons in 2007-09.

But the Seminoles never stood a chance and were on their heels all night as Baugh battered FSU’s defense to break Jimmy DuBose’s 50-year series-record of 204 rushing yards against Florida’s in-state rival.

“We came into [the game] saying that’s a guy you have to stop,” FSU coach Mike Norvell said. “For him to have that kind of production is a complete failure.”

With Baugh shouldering the load, Lagway picked his spots in the passing game.

“It’s always great to end the season on a good note,” he said. “We clicked offensively. We ran the ball at will. I feel like just a great day at the park.”

The Gators scored on their first three possessions, two ending in Lagway touchdown throws, to build a 17-7 lead.

After a 9-yard touchdown pass from Lagway to tight end Tony Livingston, FSU responded with a drive to UF’s 20 before Tommy Castellanos fumbled and lost the ball when tackled by safety Bryce Thornton, one of four UF sacks.

But two plays later, Lagway’s pass to Aidan Mizell was broken up by Michai Danzy and intercepted by Edwin Joseph, who returned it to the UF 21. Castellanos scored three plays later on a 4-yard keeper, a scoring drive aided by a personal foul on the previous play by sophomore linebacker Myles Graham.

The Seminoles, though, could not keep up the pressure as Florida steadily pulled away behind Baugh.

“It started on Sunday,” he said. “Just going into the facility understanding everything, just focusing on a mission, understanding we still have a mission to finish out the season.”

A rare combination of speed, size (6-foot ¾, 230) and elusiveness, Baugh was on a mission. After FSU cut the lead to three points, he had runs of 20 and 14 yards to set up Lagway’s 3-yard touchdown pass to tight end Hayden Hansen.

Baugh ended Florida’s next series with a 22-yard touchdown run for a 31-14 lead.

Officials separate Florida and Florida State players during the Gators' 40-21 win Saturday in the Swamp. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images

Baugh even recovered an onsides kick by FSU with 3:06 after a 17-yard touchdown pass from Castellanos to Lawayne McCoy cut the lead to 34-21. But Baugh was not finished.

He ended a special night with a 12-yard TD run with 56 seconds remaining to deliver the final salvo to the Seminoles, even when Baugh could have taken it easy on FSU.

“Coach told me don’t score. He told me to slide,” Baugh said, “I’m like, ‘Coach, don’t do me like that. We don’t like them guys.’ I feel like it was good for our team to just score at the end of the game.”

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

By TIM REYNOLDS

FORT LAUDERDALE — Lionel Messi will play for another trophy. Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets clearly aren’t ready to begin their retirements, either.

Tadeo Allande scored three goals — Alba and Busquets, a pair of longtime Messi teammates who will retire when this season ends, had the assists on his first two — and Inter Miami topped New York City FC 5-1 on Saturday night for the Eastern Conference title and a berth in the MLS Cup final.

Mateo Silvetti scored in the 67th minute for Inter Miami, with Messi setting up that goal — the 405th assist of his career for club and country, which is generally believed to be the most in soccer history. Telasco Segovia scored off a heel pass from Alba in the 83rd minute to turn it into a runaway, and Allande finishing off the hat trick in the 89th minute was the final play.

Inter Miami — the No. 3 seed in the East — will play host to either San Diego or Vancouver for the league title on Dec. 6 at 2:30 p.m. Eastern. San Diego and Vancouver play for the Western Conference title later Saturday night.

It’ll be the first MLS final appearance for Inter Miami, which had never made it past the opening postseason round in any of its first five seasons. Messi’s club went 0-2 against Vancouver this season, losing both legs of a semifinal meeting in the CONCACAF Champions Cup by a 5-1 aggregate.

Justin Haak scored in the 37th minute for NYCFC, which went 0-2-1 against Inter Miami this season.

The win moves Inter Miami one step closer to another trophy, after winning the Leagues Cup in 2023 and the Supporters’ Shield as MLS’ top regular-season team last year. Messi, a World Cup champion for Argentina and now eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, joined the team midway through the 2023 season when it was at the bottom of the MLS standings and in an 11-match winless streak.

Now? The club’s brand is global, Messi’s No. 10 jersey in the club’s pink kit is sold all over the world, a new stadium near Miami International Airport is on the way for next season, Messi is signed through 2028, he seems like a lock to win his second consecutive MLS MVP award and the team is on the brink of an MLS title.

Stars flock to see this team because of Messi; tennis great Carlos Alcaraz was there Saturday night, as were some members of the U.S. women’s national team.

“Everyone in the world knows who Lionel Messi is. … I think everyone thought he would come in here and do exactly what he’s done,” said U.S. women’s forward Lindsay Horan — whose Messi fandom goes back many years.

Messi got struck along the left side of his head in the ninth minute and was briefly shaken up, remaining down near the center circle for a few seconds before eventually getting to his feet. He got tripped with Inter Miami on the attack about two minutes later, then took a direct kick from about 30 yards out — playing it into the box, but Silvetti’s header was easily caught by NYCFC goalie Matt Freese.

Inter Miami’s next chance came a minute later. This one was cashed in — a long pass from Busquets was controlled by Allende, who easily beat Freese from about 12 yards out for a 1-0 lead.

Allende struck again on a header off a long pass from Alba in the 23rd minute, making it 2-0. And after Messi set Silvetti up for the 3-1 lead, what essentially was a 25-minute or so countdown to a celebration was underway.

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AP MLS: https://apnews.com/hub/major-league-soccer

General Daily Insight for November 30, 2025

Simple kindness can currently turn walls into open doors. As tender Venus waltzes into Sagittarius at 3:14 PM EST, we’re encouraged to lean on kindness and good communication. Earlier, Venus, planet of compassion, formed a trine with dreamy Neptune, giving our imagination space to flow freely. We can soften rough edges through creativity expressed with care. As the day unfolds, promises are continually strengthened by our cosmically-inspired efforts. Sincerity is key to finding the best path forward, regardless of the context of a specific relationship.

Aries

March 21 – April 19

Take the road less traveled by! This doesn’t necessarily mean the road everyone else avoids — perhaps you’ve resisted trying a food everyone loves or ignored a TV show all your friends adore. As vigorous Venus trots into your exploratory 9th house, a spark of curiosity could mark the beginning of the trail you’re about to blaze. If a rule feels overly restrictive, now is the time to talk (respectfully!) about potentially changing it. Travel a fresh trail and let the universe reward your courage!

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

Think of today like walking along a beach — slow, steady paces will get you further than tripping as you attempt to sprint on unsteady sand. Your 8th House of Sharing begins hosting Venus, planet of values, encouraging honest talk about material resources. Even if you totally trust someone, consider setting up a contract before lending any valuables. If someone resists, stay calm and grounded in the knowledge that rules will support both the lender and lendee. Patience can turn tension into a realistic plan.

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

A simple question can bring a whole conversation alive. Appreciative Venus twirls into your connection zone today, where she’ll boost your ability to interpret mixed signals. Whether you can’t tell if a friend is angry or you’re struggling to align with a co-worker, this is the time to apologize when necessary or reach out with friendly plans. Regardless of context, make sure everyone knows what the expectations are (including yourself). If someone talks in circles, repeat what you heard and get the vital details.

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

A tidy space equals a tidy mind. With fashionable Venus strutting into your practical 6th house, your ability to look and feel good is maximized. Small acts of care for others shine, though you could also beautify your own desk. You might draft a kinder schedule or plan a lunch with a co-worker — you never know when they’ll return the favor, after all. If emotions rise with chores, take a deep breath. Look for ways to simplify the next step, alone or on a team.

Leo

July 23 – August 22

Your playful heart wants a stage — and the spotlight. Your 5th House of Charm gleams under the light of Venus’s entry, encouraging expression and generous affection that make life feel bright. You may share a song over text or plan a fun game night in person. Either way, praise and laughter should warm the room. If someone seems shy, offer gentle encouragement by showing your own enthusiasm. That should help them relax and join the fun. Your warmth invites others to blossom!

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

A calmer room can soothe your anxious mind. Gracious Venus shifts into Sagittarius, imbuing your 4th House of Comfort with her charming kindness. You may rearrange a shelf or choose warmer lighting in your quest to make small improvements that ease shared routines. On the other hand, some relatives or roommates may cause tension. Try asking what everyone needs most right now, since modest changes can likely smooth whatever friction you keep noticing. Tend small details, allowing comfort to grow from simple care.

Libra

September 23 – October 22

A friendly chat could brighten the strictest schedule. Words carry extra power as socialite Venus slides into your 3rd House of Communication, inviting you to start more conversations. You might text a sibling or invite a neighbor for coffee, letting your kind tone invite cooperation. You’re at risk of being easily distracted, though, so make sure to keep your eyes on the prize. Stay focused on your next actual step if the situation gets overwhelming in any way. Above all else, speak with kindness.

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

Every choice today shapes how you value yourself. Venus, with her mind on the money, moves to your 2nd House of Resources, linking earning and esteem. You’ll understand what your time is worth. You might also compare subscriptions or return an impulse buy, because careful selection strengthens your sense of power. If a negotiation feels intense, pause and speak slowly. Staying level-headed shows resolve without force and turns fraught confrontations into honest conversations. Invest in self-worth — it’s the best way to nurture your soul.

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

A single smile can bring countless people joy. Your charm opens doors as free-loving Venus enters your sign, refreshing your identity and presence with her characteristic grace. You might update a profile photo or reintroduce yourself to an acquaintance, letting a casual warmth permeate your connections. It’s also possible that you’ll be in the public eye — in that case, accept any applause (or critique) with gratitude and don’t let it go to your head. Wherever you’re at, you can lead with warmth.

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

Taking a quiet hour or so should give you room to breathe. Your 12th House of Solitude is softened by the entry of compassionate Venus, encouraging reflection and rest that restore focus. You may silence social media notifications to finish a task in peace, or tell your friends that you’ll be offline for a while. If chaotic feelings threaten your rest, try jotting them down by hand. You don’t have to keep your notes, either. The simple act of writing could be immensely restorative.

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

Big ideas will need a big team to pull them off. Cosmic darling Venus is sashaying into your 11th House of Humanitarianism, inspiring collaborative invitations that spark progress around societal hopes. You may plan a volunteer outing, revive a club chat, or otherwise encourage positive momentum. People may not agree on the best way to help others, but you can keep the conversation steady with a reminder that you’re all here for the same reasons. Build together to create a better future.

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

Kindness doesn’t have to cost a thing at the moment. You’re gifted with extra grace as Venus strides into your high-powered 10th house, especially when it comes to your career and publicly visible life. You may polish your portfolio or let someone know how grateful you are for their support. Conflict isn’t impossible, but it shouldn’t be too rough to handle overall (especially if you rely on empathy and mutual respect). You’re capable of having high standards without exhausting yourself or others.

Always imposing, often impressive, notably consistent, remarkably complementary, surgically delivered, precisely as-ordered …

Was Miami convincing enough Saturday?

That’s the only adjective that matters.

Miami beat Pittsburgh 38-7. It won its final four games. It finished 10-2 on the season. It also left the field wondering what everyone was wondering:

Could they get a little help, please?

No. 8 Oklahoma almost lost to LSU before coming back to win Saturday, and No. 10 Alabama escaped Auburn later that night. That leaves Miami hoping No. 9 Notre Dame loses later Saturday to open an at-large spot in the playoff. Or, after their chances of reaching the ACC championship game evaporated, they’d need the 12-member voting committee to change its mind.

So, now the fun starts. The politicking. The finger-pointing. This is the worst part of the college postseason, this loud stretch until Tuesday’s next vote by the committee as Miami will pound the fact it beat Notre Dame in the season opener and is ranked below Notre Dame.

“The best part of football is you get to settle it on the field where Head-to-head is always the No. 1 criteria,” Miami coach Mario Cristobal said after Saturday’s win, just as he should. Just as Miami should pound, too.

But there’s something worse than the politicking right now. It’s wanting to pound the homer table for Miami and being unable to do it. Yes, it beat Notre Dame on the final play. All things being equal, that would be the tiebreaker.

But all things aren’t equal, not really, considering Miami …

… lost to unranked Louisville and SMU, who after clambering to No. 21, also will likely be unranked after losing to Cal late Saturday.

… won’t even make the ACC Championship Game (and could finish in a four-way tie for third place).

… had a schedule with a CFP-high eight home games, will have played one top-25 team by the time the final rankings come out (Notre Dame), faced two of the other top six ACC teams (SMU, Pitt) and still had two losses.

Notre Dame won at Pitt two weeks ago, 37-15. How does that compare to Miami’s win Saturday? Does either get style points here?

Can’t we just talk about how Malachi Toney? There’s someone everyone can agree on.  He might have wrapped up the 2026 Heisman Trophy with another electric game on Saturday.

Toney threw a 9-yard touchdown, caught a 22-yard touchdown and was a running touchdown away from a spectacular hat trick.

As it was, Toney had 13 catches for 126 yards. That gave him 84 catches, one behind Xavier Restrepo’s school record of 85 in a season.

Miami did more than flash Toney’s rare talent again Saturday. It went into the trenches and whipped Pitt. It controlled the ball offensively behind Carson Beck completing 23 of 29 passes for 267 yards and three touchdowns. It controlled the game defensively right from the start as Pitt was minus-12 yards after its first two drives.

Miami even showed the kind of on-field discipline that’s been lacking some moments. Twice on a third-quarter drive, Pitt players acted up after crucial stops to merit unsportsmanlike-conduct penalties. Miami took advantage of that with Mark Fletcher’s touchdown run to end a 75-yard drive for a 24-7 lead.

The Hurricanes looked at their best Saturday. Can that matter some? Mario Cristobal will press that point right to Tuesday’s vote. Just as he should. Before the game, ESPN’s Nick Saban went on the offense for Miami.

“If they get in this playoff, they’re going to be the most dangerous team that anybody has to play because of the talent level,’’ Saban said.

The former Alabama coach knows a few things about championships. He also knows how to come to the aid of a former assistant like Cristobal.

Saban’s point underlines the shame of it all. Miami does have great talent. It would be dangerous in the playoff.

Miami is a team the committee wants in, too. Don’t talk about some conspiracy theory or how everyone has hated Miami for years. That’s nonsense. Why was Miami-Notre Dame a prime-time showcase of the opening weekend? Why did Miami jump an idle Vanderbilt and close-win Utah on successive weeks? (Vanderbilt tops Miami on the outrage-meter. Its only two losses are on the road at Alabama and Texas).

“That’s a College Football Playoff team,” Cristobal said. “We’ve all seen it. We know it.”

It was Saturday. It’s been so many weeks. It just had two bad weeks that might keep them out.