Messi’s 100th goal for Inter Miami helped the team win the Campeones Cup for the first time in history by Defeating Cruz Azul in a very tight game by 2-0.

Inter Miami defeated Cruz Azul 2-0 to win the 2026 Campeones Cup. Lionel Messi’s 100^th goal for Miami and Casemiro's header from a corner kick in the 81st minute late in the game made it 2-0 and sealed the title for the team.

Inter Miami defeated Cruz Azul 2-0 to win the 2026 Campeones Cup. Despite La Máquina's attempts to launch a comeback, the Garzas were able to maintain their lead as Lionel Messi broke the score in the 24th minute. Casemiro's header from a corner kick in the 81st minute late in the game made it 2-0 and sealed the team's triumph at Nu stadium.

In the yearly battle between the MLS champion and Liga MX, Messi's goal placed Miami ahead 1-0. However, Casemiro's late header sealed the victory, giving new coach Cristian "Kily" González a trophy in his first game as coach.

The current MLS champions' starting lineup is as follows. They will be trying to win and take home another title when they play at home:

XI Inter Miami

St. Clair, Mura, Falcón, Casemiro, Caicedo, De Paul, Bright, Galarza, Messi (c), Berrerame, Luis Suárez.

Cruz Azul's Starting XI

Mier, Márquez, Ditta, Amaury García, Orozco, Rotondi, Paradela, Lira, Palavecino, Charly Rodríguez, Nico Ibáñez

24^th minute of the game brings the 100^th goal of Messi for Miami Messi's header set up by Luis Suárez at the end of a play that began on the wing and cut to the middle gives the home team the lead. With a 1-0 advantage, the MLS squad is vying for another championship.

Galarza of Inter Miami is the first player in the game to be given a yellow card. The Paraguayan stopped a threatening attack on Carlos Rodriguez with a really powerful tackle. On that play, some demanded a harsher call, but the outcome was merely a yellow card.

In 81^st minute they take advantage of a corner kick as Casemiro steps up to head the ball from a set piece. Messi delivers the ball to the near post, where the Brazilian is left unguarded and scores with a header, ultimately sealing the victory.

After winning the game Coach González said "Leo [Messi] told me I was going to become a champion, and he made it happen," further he added "Moving forward, this gives us a huge morale boost, it's a vital element for us, and while we've achieved this, we have to keep going."

After arriving in Miami from Argentina earlier in the morning, González oversaw Inter Miami's first training session on Tuesday. On August 27, the team came to an agreement with González to take over as temporary coach in the substitution of Guillermo Hoyos, but he couldn't join until he had his work permit.

The Silicon Review examines Messi's instant influence in south Florida after he joined Miami in 2023 and helped the Herons win the Leagues Cup. Additionally, the Inter Miami captain guided the team to the 2024 Supporters' Shield, setting a record for the most points (74) in an MLS season. He was a key member of the club that won the 2025 MLS Cup in the playoffs last year. And just now, Inter Miami wins their first Campeones Cup with a historic performance.

FAQ:

Q: Who got the first yellow card in the game?

A: Galarza of Inter Miami is the first player in the game to be given a yellow card.

Q: In which minute the first goal conceded?

A: 24^th minute of the game brought the first goal of the game by Messi.

Q: Which team did the first substitution in the game?

A:  Cruz Azul makes two substitutes: Joel Huiqui replaces Rodolfo Rotondi and Jesús Orozco with Gonzalo Piovi and Omar Campos, both defensive substitutions.

Q: When did the home team brought the substitution?

A: In the 62^nd minute the first replacement of the game is made by the host team. Alexander Shaw, No. 88, an academy product, takes Paraguayan Galarza's spot on the field. This clears the yellow card and gives the host team new legs.

Q: When did the winning goal came?

A: In 81^st minute they take advantage of a corner kick as Casemiro steps up to head the ball from a set piece and GOAL.