It was a clash between the two domestic champions over the past year from the United States and Mexico. The Herons captured the MLS Cup in 2025 while Cruz Azul won the Liga MX Campeon de Campeones (Super Cup) earlier this year.
In the first half, Inter Miami CF roared out to a 1-0 lead during the 24th minute of play. Luis Suarez crossed the ball back from the right end line and Lionel Messi put in a jumping header from six yards away into the left side of the cage. It turned out to be Messi's 100th goal in a Herons uniform.
The Herons increased their lead to 2-0 in the 81st minute. Messi took a corner kick from the left side and Carlos Casemiro was able to place in a header from seven yards out into the low right corner of the net. It was the fourth time this year that Casemiro scored on a header off a Messi corner kick.
Both teams had faced each other one previous time in Fort Lauderdale. Inter Miami CF took Cruz Azul 2-1 in a Leagues Cup contest when Messi made his debut with Inter Miami CF in July 2023. He scored the go-ahead goal for the Herons in the stoppage time at the end of the second half.
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