Messi reaches 100 Inter Miami goals in 2–0 Campeones Cup win

Inter Miami won the 2026 Campeones Cup with a 2–0 victory over Cruz Azul at Nu Stadium on September 16. Lionel Messi and Casemiro supplied the goals, while the evening also brought a milestone for Miami's captain: his 100th goal for the club. The result gave Cristian “Kily” González a trophy in his first match as head coach, according to the official MLS match report.

Two headers decide the game

Messi opened the scoring in the 24th minute, meeting a Luis Suárez cross. Miami held that one-goal advantage until the closing stages. In the 81st minute, Messi delivered a corner and Casemiro headed in the second. Cruz Azul had threatened an equaliser when Gabriel Fernández's header hit the post and Casemiro blocked the follow-up attempt.

What the century means

Inter Miami's milestone announcement says Messi reached 100 goals in 115 appearances across all competitions. He is the first player in the club's history to reach that mark. That total covers his Miami career, rather than just MLS matches or this season.

Which competition did Miami win?

Campeones Cup brings together the previous MLS Cup champion and the reigning Liga MX Campeón de Campeones winner. The competition began in 2018. Miami qualified through its 2025 MLS Cup victory, while Cruz Azul earned its place by beating Toluca in Mexico's Campeón de Campeones. The MLS tournament guide explains that background and the cross-border rivalry.

A clean sheet and the next fixture

Goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair contributed six saves, including a late stop from a free kick, according to the club's match recap. Miami's next scheduled assignment is back in MLS: San Diego FC at Nu Stadium on Sunday, September 20, at 7 p.m. Eastern.

Explore the key points in our Web Story.