Inter Miami vs Cruz Azul: Messi Hits 100-Goal Milestone in Campeones Cup Win

Inter Miami CF secured a 2-0 victory over Mexican side Cruz Azul on 17 September 2026 to claim the Campeones Cup. The match was headlined by Lionel Messi, who reached a historic scoring milestone and helped the club secure its fifth Campeones Cup trophy.

Messi's Record-Breaking 100th Goal

Lionel Messi scored his 100th goal for Inter Miami in the 24th minute of the match, heading in a precise cross from Luis Suárez. This achievement makes Messi the fastest player to reach 100 goals for any club or country, accomplishing the feat in just 115 appearances [1].

To put this pace into perspective, Messi previously required 188 games to reach 100 goals for Barcelona and 174 appearances for the Argentina national team [1]. His scoring trajectory at Inter Miami has accelerated significantly over four seasons:

• 2023: 11 goals
• 2024: 23 goals
• 2025: 43 goals
• 2026: 23 goals (as of 17 September) [2]

Match Highlights and Key Stats

Beyond the milestone goal, the match showcased strong teamwork and a successful debut for new head coach Cristian González. While Cruz Azul pressured early—forcing a key save from goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair in the 6th minute—Inter Miami maintained control throughout the game [2].

The victory was sealed in the 81st minute when Messi delivered a corner kick from the left, which Casemiro headed home to make it 2-0. This marked Casemiro's fourth goal since joining the club in the summer and Messi's 15th assist of 2026 [2].

Post-Match Controversy and Future Outlook

Despite the celebration, the event ended with a tense moment. Video footage captured Lionel Messi in a heated exchange with MLS commissioner Don Garber, where Messi was seen pointing his finger at Garber multiple times [3]. Both Inter Miami and the MLS have declined to comment on the incident.

The Campeones Cup win marks the 49th trophy of Messi's legendary career. As Inter Miami currently sits second in the Eastern Conference with 45 points, they remain strong contenders for the MLS Cup later this year [3].

Quick Summary: Inter Miami vs Cruz Azul (17 Sept 2026)

Category	Detail
Final Score	Inter Miami 2-0 Cruz Azul
Messi's Milestone	100th Goal for Inter Miami (115 apps)
Goal Scorers	Messi (24'), Casemiro (81')
Trophy Won	Campeones Cup (5th title for club)