With a chance to shine again on an international stage, Lionel Messi delivered Wednesday night. This time he did so for his club team, Inter Miami, with a sensational header and an assist to lead a 2-0 win over Cruz Azul in the Campeones Cup.
The Campeones Cup is an annual match that’s been held since 2018. It pits the reigning MLS Cup champion against Liga MX’s reigning Campeón de Campeones winner. In this instance, that meant Messi’s Inter Miami against Mexico’s Cruz Azul.
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The match was locked in a scoreless tie in the 24th minute at Inter Miami’s Nu Stadium when Messi got the home team on the board. Luis Suárez delivered a cross from the right baseline that Messi sent to the back of the net with a surging header in traffic.
The goal was the 100th of Messi’s Inter Miami career.
Then, with a chance to add insurance, Messi delivered again in the second half. This time, he set up Casemiro for a header with a corner kick in the 81st minute.
Casemiro put the ball in the right side of the net for a 2-0 lead that all but slammed the door shut on Inter Miami’s win.
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Miami’s defense and goaltender Dayne St. Clair did the rest of the work from there to keep Cruz Azul off the board.
Cruz Azul had more opportunities and put more shots on goal than Inter Miami. But Inter Miami was more precise with its attacks and put three of its seven shots on goal, two of which found the net.
Cruz Azul, meanwhile, put just four of its 17 shots on goal, and St. Clair was able to save each on-target attempt. Cruz Azul goaltender Kevin Mier, meanwhile, didn’t record a save.
Inter Miami win snaps Liga MX win streak
With the win, Inter Miami snapped a streak of three-straight wins by Liga MX teams in the Campeones Cup. Toluca FC, Club América and UNAL won the previous three.
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Before Wednesday, New York City FC was the last MLS team to win the contest with a 2-0 victory over Atlas FC in 2022. MLS and Liga MX are now tied with four Campeones Cup victories each.
The win also provided the Miami crowd another championship celebration at home.
The Campeones Cup victory is the first for Inter Miami in its first appearance.
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