Inter Miami vs Cruz Azul Live Score: Lionel Messi makes his debut
Lionel Messi’s transfer to Inter Miami in 2023 has become the talk of the town. The Argentine world cup winner arrived in Miami amidst much fanfare and was unveiled in a glittering ceremony on Monday.
The signing of Messi by Miami was a major coup for the club, and it has already had a significant impact on its growth.
One notable and eye-catching change was Inter Miami’s social media following, which almost quadrupled after the announcement of Messi’s arrival, and their merchandise sales also shot up dramatically.
USA Today published a report which revealed how Inter Miami’s followers went up from 1 million to 4.5 million after Messi’s move.
The club has also seen a surge in ticket sales, and they are now on the way to becoming one of the most popular teams in MLS.
Data from online marketplace TickPick revealed that Inter Miami’s ticket prices kept rising since the news of Messi’s move to MLS. For example, the lowest ticket price before the Messi announcement was $29. But as soon as it was clear that Messi was on his way to America, the cheapest ticket available was reportedly for $544. (READ MORE)
Lionel Messi made an unforgettable debut for Inter Miami.
The game’s greatest player — a seven-time Ballon d’Or winner — scored on a free kick from about 25 yards in the 94th minute, giving Inter Miami a 2-1 win over Mexican club Cruz Azul on Friday night in the Leagues Cup.
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His left foot sent the ball over a wall of four Cruz Azul defenders and into the upper left corner of the net, unquestionably the greatest moment in Inter Miami’s brief history. Play resumed for roughly a minute before the referee’s whistle blew, and fireworks shot into the night sky. (READ MORE)
Beckham on what it's like to view these games as an owner: "It's terrible watching these games. As an ex-player, you get frustrated. As a player, you can do something about it if you're losing, when you're an owner, you can't.
"But tonight is about the people. It's about this.
"This is what we always saw as our vision, me and Jorge and Jose and the club, this is what we saw.
"So this is such a special night for us, for our families, for everyone that's in this stadium, for you guys.
"It is such a moment for this country. It's such a moment for this league.
"And it's a very proud moment for us."
Beckham on what it's like to view these games as an owner: "It's terrible watching these games. As an ex-player, you get frustrated. As a player, you can do something about it if you're losing, when you're an owner, you can't.
"But tonight is about the people. It's about this.
"This is what we always saw as our vision, me and Jorge and Jose and the club, this is what we saw.
"So this is such a special night for us, for our families, for everyone that's in this stadium, for you guys.
"It is such a moment for this country. It's such a moment for this league.
"And it's a very proud moment for us."
Lionel Messi has spoken to Apple TV through a translator about his winning goal: "What I saw was the goal. I knew that I had to score with the last play of the game. It was very important to get this win. It gives us confidence moving forward."
He came and he delivered in the very first match for Inter Miami. What a debut it has been for Lionel Messi, who scores last-second free-kick goal to win match as Inter Miami beat Cruz Azul 2-1 in the Leagues Cup opener.
FUN FACT - Barcelona has not scored a free-kick since Messi left.
Lionel Miees scores and wins it for Inter Miami.
Just 2 minutes of added time. If the game finishes level, we go to a penalty shootout.
Messi almost gets in again and this time it's Martinez who is offside.
OFFSIDE! Messi finds Martinez who slots home but the flag was up and the goal won't count. Cruz Azul strike at the other end and once again a fine save from Callender deprives 'La Maquina'
Busquets finds Messi in the box with a beautiful first-time chip. Messi gets a shot off but Cruz Azul's defender does well to block it.
Escobar and Messi collide as the home fans appeal for a penalty kick.
Final changes for Cruz Azul! Lotti and Tabo come on for Rodriguez and Vieira.
Sublime pass from Messi as he finds Martinez who beats the keeper but just runs out of space
Into the final 15' of the action and should the game remain as a tie, then we'd have a bonus penalty shoot-out to see who gets 2 points with the loser just picking up a single point. Taylor drives the ball over the bar.
Christopher McVey comes on in place of Kamal Miller, who has suffered an injury.
First chance for Messi. Busquets feeds Messi the ball on the edge of the Cruz Azul box. Messi fires a shot but it's blocked by a sliding Cruz Azul player.
GOAL! Cruz Azul equalises! Antuna levels for Cruz!
Second change for Cruz Azul. Castano replaces Cambindo.
Free kick for Inter Miami. Messi take it. He floats one inside the box towards fellow substitute Martinez, who tries to finish but sees it saved by Gudino. Lionel Messi starts from right. He'll obviously drift inside whenever he sees fit. Sergio Busquets at the heart of Miami's midfield and Josef Martinez as a lone center forward.
Messi gets involved straight away, eluding defenders and leading an attack down the right wing and the crowd has gone berserk.
Messi is about to come on! He's taken off his substitute bib and is standing on the edge of the pitch. And he is all set to make his MLS debut.
Messi is about to come on! He's taken off his substitute bib and is standing on the edge of the pitch
Inter Miami is growing in confidence. They are holding the position nicely. Allen has made a real impact since coming on as a first-half sub in place of the injured Fray.
Second half is underway! More chants of "Messi, Messi" ring around the DRV PNK Stadium.
Half-time! Cruz Azul dominated the opening 20 minutes, but Taylor's opening goal has given Miami the lead as we head into the break. Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets come out onto the field to warm up during half-time along with Miami's other subs.
We're into five minutes of stoppage time.
Inter Miami have taken the lead against the run of play. Robinson finds Robert Taylor on the left wing with a long, diagonal ball. Taylor cuts inside of his defender and fires a low shot off the post into the back of the net.
Tempers rising! Arroyo gets yellow card for his mistimed tackle on Rodriguez.
Cruz Azul dangerous on counter! Rontondi looks to break free again. He tries to finish from an awkward angle but the ball takes a deflection off a defender and is out for a corner.
Chance for Miami. Miami have a free kick in a dangerous position. Allen hits an inch perfect cross into the box and finds the head of Campana, who failed to generate the power and it's a simple save for Gudino.
First change for Cruz Azul! Juan Escobar replaces Rodrigo Huescas.
Allen replaces Fray! Ian Fray is helped off the field by two trainers. He is replaced by 19-year-old Noah Allen.
Fray is down and in visible pain. Looks like the 20-year-old has pulled his hamstring. He has already had to recover from a torn ACL twice in his young career. Not a good sign for Miami.
Robinson has a defender 1-vs-1 on the left wing. He ran past the Cruz Azul player, and fires a cross into the box. Gudino punches the ball away, but only as far as Campana, who can't quite control the loose ball well enough to get a shot off. The brightest moment in the match for Miami so far.
Inter Miami are just holding on somehow as Cruz Azul fire a shot just wide. Rotondi serves it into the box but it is cleared pretty easily
Lionel Messi is on the bench but expected to make his Inter Miami debut tonight as his new side take on Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup. The score is currently 0-0.
An exquisite long ball from Rivera, Rodriguez gets the ball and heads towards the final third to find Moises inside the box. The latter tries to shoot but Inter Miami defenders converge onto him to clear the ball away. Cruz Azul are leading possession 62% to 38% and shots 6 to 1. Miami can't gain possession of the ball at the moment. Only a matter of time before Cruz Azul takes the lead.
This match has been all Cruz Azul so far. Inter Miami are fortunate to still be on level terms here.
Another chance for Cruz Azul. Rivero skips past a defender and dishes out a through ball and Cambindo shoots it wide!
Campana takes a through ball and breaks free on goal. He shoots first-time and forces a decent save from Gudino. Miami's first real chance of the match. It has bene an open match so far.
Chants of "Messi, Messi" ring around the stadium in the first minute. Moments later, Cruz Azul create a dangerous chance and nearly get an effort on target, but the flag goes up for offside. A couple of minutes later, Vieira puts Fray on the floor and bursts into the Miami box. He gets a good shot off but Inter Miami goalkeeper Callender makes a strong save, his second of the match already.
Inter Miami starts from left to right as Robinson gets the ball rolling. The players have taken the field and a team huddle takes place in the middle. LeBron James is also in the house and he gets a warm hug from Messi.
Lionel Messi is sitting between Sergio Busquets and Josef Martinez on Inter Miami's bench. Here we go
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Inter Miami vs Cruz Azul. Lionel Messi starts from the bench. He is expected to make his Inter Miami debut tonight as his new side take on Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup.