Lionel Messi scores dramatic 94th-minute winner in Inter Miami debut against Cruz Azul in Leagues Cup

It was a magical ending to Messi's Inter Miami debut

It was poetic as it gets. A Lionel Messi free kick in the 94th minute of play secured the 2-1 victory for Inter Miami in Leagues Cup at DRV PNK Stadium on Friday against Cruz Azul. Messi started the game on the bench but Miami opened the scoring via Robert Taylor before halftime. But Messi and Sergio Busquets came on in the 54th minute and then the main event started. Uriel Antuna's equalizer in the 65th minute set up the dramatic finish and Messi delivered. It's a game that shows what Messi and Sergio Busquets can bring to the club while also showing how far they have to go as Drake Callender made seven saves to ensure that Cruz Azul only scored one goal.

But Messi, when needed, did this from about 24 yards out.

DRV PNK Stadium was on their feet as Messi finished the game and from the second he stepped on the pitch the Herons looked like a different team. His chemistry with Busquets was evident but what will be good for Miami to see is his early chemistry with Josef Martinez. While the duo were caught offside a few times, it brought back memories of Martinez scoring goals with ease while playing with Atlanta United.

That Martinez hasn't been seen much with Miami but a more dynamic attack is right around the corner if this was any indication. With Atlanta United next on Tuesday Miami can essentially wrap up their group to prepare for the knockout stages of the tournament with a positive result.

[Jul 21, 2023 at 10:10 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

MESSSSSSSSSIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

A free kick in the 92nd minute of play and Miami are ahead 2-1. A debut that couldn't have gone any other way!

[Jul 21, 2023 at 10:09 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Free kick in stoppage time

Can Messi hit a free kick to secure all three points?

[Jul 21, 2023 at 10:04 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

The ball is in the net, but offside

Messi again played Josef Martinez into space but the flag was raised. Callender then had to make his seventh save of the match as he has been under pressure all night with the patchwork defense. 

[Jul 21, 2023 at 10:01 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Messi goes down but no penalty

Almost a chance for Miami but there wasn't enough in it to lead to the result. He wins Miami a corner after by floating into space like only he can and Miami are turning up the pressure.

[Jul 21, 2023 at 9:54 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Almost one for Miami

Martinez had the keeper off his line but no one to cut it back to. Cruz Azul are making their final changes of the game for fresh legs as 13 minutes remain. As a reminder, this game can't end in a draw and will go to penalties if it's level after regulation.

[Jul 21, 2023 at 9:49 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

So close to Messi's opening goal

It feels like only a matter of time until Messi opens his scoring account but the Herons need it to win this game. Miller is now down as well and may need to exit as Miami are extremely thin in defense while needing to still fend off Cruz Azul.

[Jul 21, 2023 at 9:42 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Inter Miami 1, Cruz Azul 1

There's the leveler from Antuna and Cruz Azul. While Miami's additions improve the attack Miller allowed far too much space for Antuna to place the ball in the back of the net to level the match. 

[Jul 21, 2023 at 9:40 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

He's here and he's perfect

[Jul 21, 2023 at 9:39 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

A giveaway from Busquets 

Miami has improved but they still need insurance goals to avoid Cruz Azul bringing this level. The ball movement looks so much better for the Herons but they will have to be careful as everyone can't ping it like Messi.

[Jul 21, 2023 at 9:32 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Here comes Messi

The man of the hour is now in as Messi immediately takes the armband. Sergio Busquets and Josef Martinez have also entered and immediately Miami starts pinging the ball around the pitch. It's going to be a fun end to this one being awestruck at watching Messi in this competition.

[Jul 21, 2023 at 9:31 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Better from Miami

Allen played the ball across the box and it took a deflection before Cruz Azul were able to clear it.

[Jul 21, 2023 at 9:22 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Time to get the second half underway

Messi is beginning to warm up ahead of his anticipated debut to cheers of Messi from the crowd. It'll be pandemonium when he enters.

[Jul 21, 2023 at 9:09 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Miami enters the half ahead

Despite the injury to Fray, the Herons were able to enter the half on a high note thanks to Taylor's goal. Cruz Azul has dominated the match in attack but the only thing that matters is the score right now. Miami will still need to make changes to protect this league but so far, so good.

[Jul 21, 2023 at 9:00 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

MIAMI 1, Cruz Azul 0

Scratch that, Robert Taylor what a hit! Robinson floats a ball cross pitch and Taylor finishes the chance to likely close the half out with Miami ahead in the match.

[Jul 21, 2023 at 8:59 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

The Herons can make it to half level

Only three minutes plus stoppage time remaining as Miami has weathered the storm so far in the match. Now it's time to hope that things are level when Messi enters.

[Jul 21, 2023 at 8:47 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

A big injury

Ian Fray has gone down and will need be replaced by Noah Allen 30 mintues into the first half. With the Herons already suffering from injuries all over, this is yet another blow.

[Jul 21, 2023 at 8:42 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Life for the Herons

Robinson creates a dangerous chance but Miami weren't able to turn it into a chance before Campana then missed an open header and Cuz Azul are off to the races. 

[Jul 21, 2023 at 8:33 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Miami are hanging on by a thread

Cruz Azul's finishing hasn't been great but they've created about four chances so far in this match and every Miami turnover is becoming a chance going the other way for the Mexican side.

[Jul 21, 2023 at 8:20 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

A chance for Cruz Azul

Almost right out of the gate, Cruz Azul creates a chance as Miami's defense is struggling to start the game. Reinforcements are coming but if Miami goes down big in the first half.

[Jul 21, 2023 at 8:14 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Almost time for kickoff

Flags are waving and it's time to get things underway. Can Miami turn their form around with their first game including Messi? DeAndre Yedlin will captain the side for the game.

[Jul 21, 2023 at 7:53 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

The king is here to see the goat

[Jul 21, 2023 at 7:44 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

As expected, Messi and Busquets are on the bench for Inter Miami

Starters: Callender, Fray, Kryvtsov, Miller, Yedlin, Arroyo, Ruiz, Cremaschi, Taylor, Campana, Robinson

Reserves: McVey, Busquets, Messi, Ulloa, Sailor, Martinez, Neville, Azcona, dos Santos, Allen, Borgelin, Jensen

[Jul 21, 2023 at 7:36 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

A star-studded affair

Kim Kardashian is in the building and Lebron James is expected to be at DRV PNK stadium as well.

[Jul 21, 2023 at 7:17 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

What's at stake?

The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout round to form the round of 32. LAFC and Pachuca have already qualified for the round of 32 due to winning MLS Cup and amassing the most points across the Clausura and Apertura. Once teams reach the knockout stages, all matches will be one and done with no home and away legs.

The winner of the third place match will book a place in Champions League while both clubs who make the final will also automatically qualify. The winner of the tournament will earn the right to enter Champions League play in the round of 16 instead of the group stage allowing for fewer games next season which is always important. 

[Jul 21, 2023 at 6:25 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

New threads

[Jul 21, 2023 at 6:23 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Hello and welcome

It's quite a night as Messi Mania is about to kick into high gear in Miami ahead of the Leagues Cup beginning. It has been a wild ride since unveiling the Argentine superstar on Sunday and while he isn't expected to start the match due to getting into match fitness, he will make quite an impact when he comes on. With a Concacaf Champions League place on the line, new coach Tata Martino will make sure that his team is well prepared to face Liga MX opposition in Cruz Azul.