Miami’s pink-clad side found a familiar route to silverware on Wednesday night: Lionel Messi deciding the key moments. In Cristian “Kily” González’s first match in charge, Inter Miami beat Mexico’s Cruz Azul 2-0 to lift the Campeones Cup, with Messi scoring his 100th goal for the club before setting up Casemiro’s late finish.
Inter Miami 2-0 Cruz Azul: Messi reaches century in Campeones Cup win
The trophy is Inter Miami’s first of the season and Messi’s fourth since arriving in South Florida. It also gives González an ideal opening night on the bench, although the club’s larger continental ambition remains unresolved after repeated setbacks in the Concacaf Champions Cup.
Cruz Azul arrived in Miami carrying the status of Liga MX Clausura champions and Campeón de Campeones winners. Their supporters were conspicuous in a crowd that was less full than expected for a final, while Jordi Alba, who retired last year as an Inter Miami player, watched from the stands.
How the final turned
- Cruz Azul began with more possession and created two efforts from inside the box, but Inter Miami’s goalkeeper dealt with both without serious alarm.
- With his team struggling to settle, Messi moved towards the right flank and spoke with González for around half a minute, seeking an answer to Cruz Azul’s control.
- Inter Miami struck shortly afterwards. Luis Suárez delivered from the right and Messi arrived in the six-yard area to head home, registering his 100th goal in an Inter Miami shirt.
- The former Barcelona pair nearly combined again before half-time, but Cruz Azul defender Willer Ditta cleared Suárez’s attempted lob from the goal line after a Messi pass.
- At the interval, Cruz Azul coach Huiqui replaced Jesús Orozco and Carlos Rotondi in an effort to reinforce the left side.
- Messi remained the home side’s chief threat after the break. One of his finishes was ruled out for offside, while another surge saw him beat two opponents before a third recovered the ball as a spectacular goal seemed possible.
- Cruz Azul came closest to equalising around the hour. Substitutes Alan Mozo and Gabriel Fernández combined, with Fernández’s finish from Mozo’s cross striking the post.
- Casemiro, brought to Miami as a marquee summer signing, had been important in repelling Cruz Azul’s aerial deliveries. With fewer than ten minutes remaining, he then turned Messi’s corner into the net to settle the contest.
A fourth Inter Miami honour for Messi
The Campeones Cup joins three previous titles won by Messi with Inter Miami: the 2023 Leagues Cup, the 2024 Supporters’ Shield and the 2025 MLS Cup.
The victory offers relief after a difficult year in results, but Miami’s ultimate measure of success remains another MLS Cup triumph and, beyond that, a much-needed breakthrough in the Concacaf Champions Cup.
SEO Title: Inter Miami beat Cruz Azul as Messi scores 100th club goal
SEO Description: Lionel Messi scored his 100th Inter Miami goal and assisted Casemiro as Cristian Kily González began with a 2-0 Campeones Cup victory over Cruz Azul.
