Inter Miami news: Lionel Messi header headlines 2-0 Campeones Cup win over Cruz Azul

Inter Miami news: Lionel Messi header headlines 2-0 Campeones Cup win over Cruz Azul appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

On Wednesday, Inter Miami hosted Cruz Azul in the Campeones Cup — the annual match between the reigning MLS Cup winner and the winner of the Campeón de Campeones. In the end, it was Inter Miami that bagged home another piece of silverware, earning themselves a 2-0 victory over the Mexico-based club.

It was in the 24th minute when Inter Miami opened the scoring. In an odd role reversal, it was striker Luis Suarez who found himself on the right wing, to cross a ball towards the box straight to the head of talisman Lionel Messi. Messi took a huge leap and somehow outjumped the Cruz Azul defender — heading the ball straight into the goal, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance.

This was also Messi’s 100th goal in 115 appearances for the club since 2023.

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Leo Messi with a RARE header goal to give Inter Miami the lead in the Campeones Cup 😤

This was his 100th goal for Inter Miami! pic.twitter.com/oVBlYFz2l0

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 17, 2026

Typically, it’s Messi who whips in those kinds of crosses, with Suarez being the danger man in the middle. Throughout the long time they’ve played with each other, this has usually been the case. But a role reversal caught the Cruz Azul defense off guard, and this gave Inter Miami the momentum they needed to go and win the cup.

In the 81st minute, Brazilian midfielder Casemiro sealed the deal with a header of his own off a corner kick by, you may have guessed, Messi himself. The Argentinian superstar whipped in a dangerous outswinging ball, and Casemiro made no mistake, shaking his defender and heading in the ball while unmarked.

Messi to Casemiro! 🤝

These two link up again for Casemiro’s fourth goal in five games and @InterMiamiCF leads Cruz Azul 2-0 in @CampeonesCup. pic.twitter.com/HoHuHTyEMQ

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 17, 2026

This Inter Miami team is dangerous, as Messi has attracted plenty of high-level players to join him in the MLS. Winning the Campeones Cup is the latest evidence pointing to that fact.

At present, the reigning MLS Cup champion is second in the Eastern Conference with 45 points, which is nine points behind the tally of the league-leading Nashville SC.

Related: Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi gets heated at MLS commish after Campeones Cup win

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