Lionel Messi once again delivered on the grandest stage, scoring his landmark 100th goal for Inter Miami CF as the club defeated Mexican giants Cruz Azul 2-0 to claim the 2026 Campeones Cup.
The historic strike, coming early in the first half, set the Herons on their way to another piece of silverware under new head coach Cristian “Kily” González.
Lionel Messi Scores 100th Inter Miami Goal in Campeones Cup Win
The highly anticipated final, played on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at a packed Nu Stadium, saw Messi open the scoring in the 24th minute. The 39-year-old Argentinian maestro rose to head home a perfectly weighted cross from prolific striker Luis Suarez, marking his century of goals in just 115 appearances across all competitions for Miami.
Casemiro Seals the Victory
While Messi provided the historic opener, it was Brazilian midfielder Casemiro who doubled Inter Miami’s lead and put the game beyond doubt in the 81st minute. Showing his aerial prowess, Casemiro powerfully headed in a corner kick, fittingly delivered by none other than Messi himself. This goal continued Casemiro’s impressive recent form, marking his fourth header goal in his last five matches. He had previously netted in three consecutive games against CF Montreal, Atlanta United, and Chicago, before being held scoreless in the preceding match against Nashville.
A Familiar Foe and Continued Dominance
Notably, Messi’s 100th goal came against the very same club he scored his first Inter Miami goal against. In his debut for the club in July 2023, Messi famously scored a stoppage-time free-kick to secure a dramatic 2-1 victory over Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup.
This latest triumph adds another prestigious title to Inter Miami’s rapidly expanding trophy cabinet. Since Messi’s arrival in July 2023, the club has enjoyed an era of unprecedented success, previously winning the Leagues Cup in 2023, the Supporters’ Shield in 2024, and the MLS Cup in 2025. The 2026 Campeones Cup victory ends Liga MX’s recent dominance in the competition, with MLS clubs not having won the title since 2022 .
Inter Miami vs Cruz Azul – Match Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Competition | 2026 Campeones Cup Final |
| Date | Thursday, September 17, 2026 |
| Kick-off | 5:35 AM IST |
| Venue | Nu Stadium, Miami, Florida, USA |
| Capacity | 26,700 |
| Result | Inter Miami 2 – 0 Cruz Azul |
| Referee | Keylor Herrera (Costa Rica) |
Fans across the globe can relive the highlights of Inter Miami’s decisive victory and Messi’s historic 100th goal via various streaming platforms, solidifying the club’s status as a dominant force in North American football.