Miami: Inter Miami stormed into their first-ever MLS Cup final with a commanding 5-1 victory over New York City FC in the Eastern Conference playoffs in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday.

A dazzling hat-trick from Tadeo Allende, along with goals from Mateo Silvetti and Telasco Segovia, sealed Miami’s place in next weekend’s championship clash, which they will host at home. They will face the winner of the Western Conference final between San Diego FC and Vancouver Whitecaps, scheduled later on Saturday.

The win continues Miami’s blistering postseason run, coming on the heels of their 4-0 rout of FC Cincinnati. Allende, who scored twice in that match, once again led the charge, striking first in the 14th minute after beating New York’s offside trap and finishing coolly from a Sergio Busquets through-ball.

The Argentine forward doubled the lead soon after, heading in a precise Jordi Alba cross to make it 2-0. New York briefly clawed back into the contest in the 37th minute when Justin Haak nodded in from a Maxi Moralez free-kick, cutting the deficit to 2-1 at the break.

NYCFC looked threatening in the second half and nearly equalised when Julian Fernandez forced a sharp save from Rocco Rios Novo in the 66th minute. The miss proved costly.

Miami responded instantly, piecing together a slick move involving Rodrigo De Paul and Alba before Lionel Messi teed up Silvetti for Miami’s third.

Segovia added a fourth in the 83rd minute, and Allende capped the night with his third goal in the 89th, sending the home crowd into full celebration mode.