Inter Miami vs Cruz Azul has quickly become a compelling contest between Major League Soccer and the Mexican top flight. The two clubs do not have a long history of rivalry, but matches between them have usually been significant for one reason or another, not least of them being Lionel Messi’s impact at Inter Miami. Their latest encounter came in the 2026 Campeones Cup, with the club coming up against Cruz Azul at Nu Stadium in Miami.
Inter Miami secured the win 2-0 in the 2026 Campeones Cup, with Lionel Messi scoring the opening goal for Miami before Casemiro doubled the lead.
It was another trophy for Miami and also kept its unbeaten record vs Cruz Azul in official matches intact.
Inter Miami vs Cruz Azul: First Meeting
The two clubs faced each other for the first time on 21 July 2023 for the Leagues Cup. It was an interesting tie as it also marked the debut of Inter Miami’s new signing, Lionel Messi.
Messi came into the match as a second-half sub with Sergio Busquets. When the scores were 1-1 Messi scored in stoppage time with a free kick to give Inter Miami a 2-1 win. It was also the first goal of Messi’s for the club.
That first match alone ensured the clash would live long in the annals of Inter Miami history.
2026 Campeones Cup Meeting
The two teams met for the second time after three years but this time, it was for the Campeones Cup. The 2026 Campeones Cup pitted the previous MLS Cup winners against the winners of the Liga MX Campen de Campeones. Inter Miami qualified for the 2026 Campeones Cup by winning 2025 MLS Cup 3-1 against Vancouver Whitecaps.
Cruz Azul qualified for the tournament by defeating Toluca in the 2026 Campen de Campeones.
The game was played between the two teams which resulted in Inter Miami winning by 2-0 goals. Messi scored the first goal in the first half, thus earning his 100th goal for Inter Miami, and Casemiro scored the second goal in the 87th minute of the game.
Inter Miami vs Cruz Azul Head-to-Head
The head-to-head record is still small because the clubs have met only twice in official competition.
| Match | Competition | Result |
| July 21, 2023 | Leagues Cup | Inter Miami 2-1 Cruz Azul |
| September 16, 2026 | Campeones Cup | Inter Miami 2-0 Cruz Azul |
Inter Miami leads the all-time head-to-head with Cruz Azul 2-0 having scored four goals and conceded one in two meetings, both of which took place in Miami.
Lionel Messi’s Impact
Messi has scored in both wins over the Mexican side, his debut goal in 2023 and, 100 goals for the club in 2026. That makes Cruz Azul a special foe as far as Messi’s Miami history is concerned, his first goal for the club came against them and his 100th against the same side.
Why the Matchup Matters
Inter Miami vs Cruz Azul Pits US and Mexico Clubs vs one another. inter miami vs cruz azul will be a reflection of the competitive relationship that has been developing between Liga MX and MLS.
Tournaments like the Leagues Cup and Campeones Cup are allowing clubs from the United States and Mexico to face each other in competitive matches. For spectators, the match also blends the traditional Liga MX with the global appeal of Inter Miami and Messi. As both clubs still take part in regional tournaments, additional encounters could write new chapters to this relationship.
Final Thoughts
While there may not be years of history between Inter Miami and Cruz Azul, the first two official matches have both already seen several memorable chapters written.
From Messi’s dramatic first MLS goal in 2023 to his 100th Inter Miami goal in 2026 Campeones Cup, the fixture has been closely associated with several iconic moments in the Argentine superstar’s Miami career. With Inter Miami accounting for two wins in their two official meetings, future matches between the Liga MX and MLS clubs will surely be highly anticipated.
