INTER MIAMI DEFEATS CRUZ AZUL 2–0 TO WIN 2026 CAMPEONES CUP
Inter Miami CF has another trophy, and this one came with several pieces of history.
The MLS champion defeated Liga MX champion Cruz Azul 2–0 Wednesday night at Nu Stadium in Miami to win the 2026 Campeones Cup.
Lionel Messi scored in the 24th minute, reaching 100 goals for Inter Miami across all competitions, before Casemiro headed home the second goal in the 81st minute. Messi assisted Casemiro’s goal.
The victory gave Inter Miami its first trophy at Nu Stadium and provided new head coach Cristian “Kily” González with a championship in his first match in charge.
MESSI REACHES 100
Inter Miami opened the scoring when Luis Suárez crossed into the penalty area and Messi rose to head the ball past Cruz Azul goalkeeper Kevin Mier. The goal was Messi’s 100th for Miami in his 115th appearance across all competitions.
Messi then helped put the match away in the second half. His 81st-minute corner found Casemiro, whose header doubled Miami’s advantage and effectively secured the trophy.
MLS CHAMPION VS. LIGA MX CHAMPION
Campeones Cup is a one-match championship between the reigning MLS Cup winner and the reigning Liga MX champion. Cruz Azul qualified after winning the 2026 Liga MX Clausura title and defeating Toluca 3–1 in Mexico’s Campeón de Campeones. Inter Miami entered as the reigning MLS champion.
That gives the result significance beyond Inter Miami. Before Wednesday, Liga MX held a 4–3 advantage over MLS in the seven previous Campeones Cup editions. Inter Miami’s victory levels the competition at four wins for MLS and four for Liga MX. It would be an overstatement to use one result to determine which league is stronger.
But these direct meetings matter. They provide measurable competition between clubs from leagues that are increasingly connected through Campeones Cup, Leagues Cup and the wider Concacaf landscape. On Wednesday, the MLS champion answered the question on the field.
A NEW HOME GETS ITS FIRST CHAMPIONSHIP
The victory also produced another milestone for Inter Miami. Nu Stadium opened earlier in 2026. The Campeones Cup is the first trophy the club has lifted at its new home. The club identifies the championship as its fifth title. For Inter Miami, however, the night will probably be remembered through a collection of firsts and milestones:
- The first trophy at Nu Stadium.
- A championship in coach González’s first match.
- Messi’s 100th Inter Miami goal.
- And another victory over one of Mexico’s most accomplished clubs.
