Cruz Azul vs Inter Miami CF, 2023 Leagues Cup, Group Stage
· Leagues CupLionel Messi nets free-kick winner in Inter Miami debut
Lionel Messi scored a free kick in stoppage time to put an exclamation point on his Inter Miami debut and lift his new team to a 2-1 victory over Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup opener on Friday.
Match Timeline
- 0': Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
- 0': First Half begins.
- 1': Offside, Cruz Azul. Díber Cambindo tries a through ball, but Carlos Rotondi is caught offside.
- 2': Corner, Inter Miami CF. Conceded by Carlos Salcedo.
- 3': Corner, Inter Miami CF. Conceded by Ignacio Rivero.
- 3': Attempt saved. Ignacio Rivero (Cruz Azul) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Díber Cambindo.
- 4': Attempt saved. Moisés (Cruz Azul) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Carlos Rodríguez.
- 6': Attempt missed. Uriel Antuna (Cruz Azul) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Moisés.
- 8': Foul by Robert Taylor (Inter Miami CF).
- 8': Ignacio Rivero (Cruz Azul) wins a free kick on the left wing.
- 8': Attempt saved. Leonardo Campana (Inter Miami CF) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Robert Taylor with a through ball.
- 10': Carlos Rotondi (Cruz Azul) hits the right post with a right footed shot from the left side of the box. Assisted by Carlos Salcedo.
- 10': Attempt missed. Díber Cambindo (Cruz Azul) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high.
- 13': Attempt missed. Díber Cambindo (Cruz Azul) right footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Ignacio Rivero.
- 16': Foul by DeAndre Yedlin (Inter Miami CF).
- 16': Uriel Antuna (Cruz Azul) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 17': Corner, Cruz Azul. Conceded by Dixon Arroyo.
- 21': Foul by Carlos Rotondi (Cruz Azul).
- 21': Ian Fray (Inter Miami CF) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 22': Corner, Cruz Azul. Conceded by Ian Fray.
- 24': Attempt saved. Robbie Robinson (Inter Miami CF) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by DeAndre Yedlin.
- 25': Attempt missed. Leonardo Campana (Inter Miami CF) header from very close range misses to the left. Assisted by DeAndre Yedlin with a cross.
- 26': Delay in match because of an injury Ian Fray (Inter Miami CF).
- 26': Delay in match because of an injury Rodrigo Huescas (Cruz Azul).
- 30': Delay over. They are ready to continue.
- 30': Substitution, Inter Miami CF. Noah Allen replaces Ian Fray because of an injury.
- 30': Substitution, Cruz Azul. Juan Escobar replaces Rodrigo Huescas because of an injury.
- 33': Foul by Juan Escobar (Cruz Azul).
- 33': Robbie Robinson (Inter Miami CF) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
- 34': Attempt saved. Leonardo Campana (Inter Miami CF) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Noah Allen with a cross.
- 35': Corner, Cruz Azul. Conceded by Sergii Kryvtsov.
- 36': Offside, Cruz Azul. Ignacio Rivero tries a through ball, but Carlos Rotondi is caught offside.
- 37': Foul by Robbie Robinson (Inter Miami CF).
- 37': Ignacio Rivero (Cruz Azul) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 38': Carlos Rodríguez (Cruz Azul) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 38': Foul by Dixon Arroyo (Inter Miami CF).
- 38': Dixon Arroyo (Inter Miami CF) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
- 40': Foul by Robbie Robinson (Inter Miami CF).
- 40': Jesús Dueñas (Cruz Azul) wins a free kick on the left wing.
- 41': Foul by Uriel Antuna (Cruz Azul).
- 41': Noah Allen (Inter Miami CF) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 43': Foul by Díber Cambindo (Cruz Azul).
- 43': Sergii Kryvtsov (Inter Miami CF) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
- 44': Goal! Cruz Azul 0, Inter Miami CF 1. Robert Taylor (Inter Miami CF) right footed shot from the left side of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Robbie Robinson.
- 45': Hand ball by Díber Cambindo (Cruz Azul).
- 45'+2': Foul by David Ruíz (Inter Miami CF).
- 45'+2': Ignacio Rivero (Cruz Azul) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 45'+3': Attempt blocked. Moisés (Cruz Azul) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Carlos Salcedo.
- 45'+4': Corner, Cruz Azul. Conceded by Noah Allen.
- 45'+5': First Half ends, Cruz Azul 0, Inter Miami CF 1.
- 45': Second Half begins Cruz Azul 0, Inter Miami CF 1.
- 46': Foul by Leonardo Campana (Inter Miami CF).
- 46': Juan Escobar (Cruz Azul) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 47': Carlos Salcedo (Cruz Azul) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 47': Foul by Leonardo Campana (Inter Miami CF).
- 48': Foul by Díber Cambindo (Cruz Azul).
- 48': Sergii Kryvtsov (Inter Miami CF) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 49': David Ruíz (Inter Miami CF) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 49': Foul by Ignacio Rivero (Cruz Azul).
- 51': Foul by DeAndre Yedlin (Inter Miami CF).
- 51': Moisés (Cruz Azul) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 52': Carlos Rotondi (Cruz Azul) wins a free kick on the left wing.
- 52': Foul by DeAndre Yedlin (Inter Miami CF).
- 52': Attempt saved. Ignacio Rivero (Cruz Azul) right footed shot from long range on the left is saved in the top right corner.
- 52': Corner, Cruz Azul. Conceded by Drake Callender.
- 53': Attempt missed. Ignacio Rivero (Cruz Azul) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Jesús Dueñas following a corner.
- 54': Substitution, Inter Miami CF. Lionel Messi replaces Benjamin Cremaschi.
- 54': Substitution, Inter Miami CF. Sergio Busquets replaces David Ruíz.
- 55': Substitution, Inter Miami CF. Josef Martínez replaces Leonardo Campana.
- 55': Foul by Josef Martínez (Inter Miami CF).
- 55': Uriel Antuna (Cruz Azul) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
- 55': Attempt missed. Ignacio Rivero (Cruz Azul) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right.
- 56': Foul by Lionel Messi (Inter Miami CF).
- 56': Ignacio Rivero (Cruz Azul) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 58': Attempt saved. Moisés (Cruz Azul) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Uriel Antuna.
- 59': Foul by Rafael Guerrero (Cruz Azul).
- 59': Robbie Robinson (Inter Miami CF) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
- 59': Attempt missed. Josef Martínez (Inter Miami CF) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Lionel Messi following a set piece situation.
- 59': Hand ball by Robbie Robinson (Inter Miami CF).
- 61': Attempt missed. Moisés (Cruz Azul) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Díber Cambindo.
- 63': Attempt blocked. Robbie Robinson (Inter Miami CF) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Noah Allen.
- 64': Foul by Robbie Robinson (Inter Miami CF).
- 64': Jesús Dueñas (Cruz Azul) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 64': Substitution, Cruz Azul. Kevin Castaño replaces Díber Cambindo.
- 65': Corner, Cruz Azul. Conceded by Dixon Arroyo.
- 65': Goal! Cruz Azul 1, Inter Miami CF 1. Uriel Antuna (Cruz Azul) right footed shot from the right side of the box to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by Jesús Dueñas following a corner.
- 67': Corner, Inter Miami CF. Conceded by Rafael Guerrero.
- 71': Attempt saved. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami CF) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Sergio Busquets.
- 73': Delay in match because of an injury Kamal Miller (Inter Miami CF).
- 74': Delay over. They are ready to continue.
- 74': Substitution, Inter Miami CF. Christopher McVey replaces Kamal Miller because of an injury.
- 75': Foul by Juan Escobar (Cruz Azul).
- 75': Noah Allen (Inter Miami CF) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 76': Attempt missed. Robert Taylor (Inter Miami CF) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.
- 78': Attempt saved. Ignacio Rivero (Cruz Azul) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by Uriel Antuna.
- 78': Corner, Cruz Azul. Conceded by Drake Callender.
- 78': Substitution, Cruz Azul. Christian Tabó replaces Carlos Rodríguez.
- 78': Substitution, Cruz Azul. Augusto Lotti replaces Moisés.
- 81': Corner, Cruz Azul. Conceded by Sergii Kryvtsov.
- 82': Foul by Christian Tabó (Cruz Azul).
- 82': Robert Taylor (Inter Miami CF) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 82': Attempt saved. Augusto Lotti (Cruz Azul) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Kevin Castaño with a headed pass.
- 84': Attempt missed. Christian Tabó (Cruz Azul) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Carlos Rotondi.
- 85': Attempt blocked. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami CF) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Sergio Busquets with a through ball.
- 85': Corner, Inter Miami CF. Conceded by Rafael Guerrero.
- 86': Attempt missed. Noah Allen (Inter Miami CF) left footed shot from outside the box is too high.
- 87': Offside, Inter Miami CF. Robert Taylor tries a through ball, but Lionel Messi is caught offside.
- 88': Attempt saved. Christian Tabó (Cruz Azul) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Ignacio Rivero.
- 89': Offside, Inter Miami CF. Lionel Messi tries a through ball, but Josef Martínez is caught offside.
- 90': Attempt missed. Christian Tabó (Cruz Azul) right footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Augusto Lotti.
- 90'+2': Foul by Jesús Dueñas (Cruz Azul).
- 90'+2': Robbie Robinson (Inter Miami CF) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 90'+2': Jesús Dueñas (Cruz Azul) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
- 90'+3': Foul by Carlos Salcedo (Cruz Azul).
- 90'+3': Lionel Messi (Inter Miami CF) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
- 90'+4': Goal! Cruz Azul 1, Inter Miami CF 2. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami CF) from a free kick with a left footed shot to the top left corner.
- 90'+6': Second Half ends, Cruz Azul 1, Inter Miami CF 2.
- 0': Match ends, Cruz Azul 1, Inter Miami CF 2.
Statistics
 MIA |
CAZ |
|
|---|---|---|
| 14 | Fouls | 12 |
| 1 | Yellow Cards | 1 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
| 0 | Offsides | 0 |
| 4 | Corner Kicks | 8 |
| 7 | Saves | 4 |
| 52.4 | Possession | 47.6 |
| 12 | SHOTS | 18 |
| 6 | ON GOAL | 8 |
| 0.5 | On Target % | 0.4 |
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 |
| 0 | Penalty Kicks Taken | 0 |
| 0 | Accurate Passes | 0 |
| 0 | Passes | 0 |
| 0.0 | Pass Completion % | 0.0 |
| 0 | Accurate Crosses | 0 |
| 0 | Crosses | 0 |
| 0.0 | Cross % | 0.0 |
| 0 | Long Balls | 0 |
| 0 | Accurate Long Balls | 0 |
| 0.0 | Long Balls % | 0.0 |
| 2 | Blocked Shots | 1 |
| 0 | Effective Tackles | 0 |
| 0 | Tackles | 0 |
| 0.0 | Tackle % | 0.0 |
| 0 | Interceptions | 0 |
| 0 | Effective Clearances | 0 |
| 0 | Clearances | 0 |
Game Information
Competition: Leagues Cup
Venue: Chase Stadium
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
Attendance: 20,512
Venue: Chase Stadium
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
Attendance: 20,512
Line-Ups
Cruz Azul (4-2-3-1)
| No. | Name |
|---|---|
| 30 | Andrés Gudiño (GK) |
| 3 | Carlos Salcedo |
| 33 | Rafael Guerrero |
| 15 | Ignacio Rivero |
| 18 | Rodrigo Huescas |
| 10 | Moisés |
| 19 | Carlos Rodríguez |
| 8 | Jesús Dueñas |
| 28 | Diber Cambindo |
| 29 | Rodolfo Rotondi |
| 7 | Uriel Antuna |
Inter Miami CF (4-3-3)
| No. | Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Drake Callender (GK) |
| 31 | Kamal Miller |
| 27 | Serhiy Kryvtsov |
| 2 | DeAndre Yedlin |
| 24 | Ian Fray |
| 3 | Dixon Arroyo  |
| 30 | Benjamin Cremaschi |
| 41 | David Ruiz |
| 9 | Leonardo Campana |
| 19 | Robbie Robinson |
| 16 | Robert Taylor |
Leagues Cup News
Messi tracker: Goals, assists, key moments for Inter Miami
ESPN provides game-by-game analysis of the Lionel Messi's performances.
Who will win the MLS cup?
The 'Futbol Americas' crew debate who's the leading contenders to win the MLS cup.
Who's had a better season Messi or Vela?
The 'Futbol Americas' crew debate who's had a better season between Inter Miami's Lionel Messi and LAFC's Carlos Vela.
Keller: MLS are desperate for Inter Miami to succeed
Kasey Keller and Craig Burley react to Luis Suarez's 3 game MLS ban as the pair agree the punishment could have been more.
Gomez: MLS needs to add to Luis Suárez's six-match suspension
Herculez Gomez discusses Luis Suárez's six-match suspension after spitting on a Seattle Sounders staff member.