Inter Miami vs. Cruz Azul live updates, highlights, results from Lionel Messi’s debut with MLS side

By | July 21, 2023
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South Beach has spent much of the summer rolling out the red carpet for its newest superstar, Lionel Messi. And after months of anticipation, the Little Magician will finally make his Inter Miami CF debut on Friday night.

Messi’s arrival has injected life into a franchise that has been an unmitigated disaster in its opening 22 games of the league season. The club has just four wins, with goals becoming increasingly hard to come by.

MORE: Inter Miami beginner’s guide | Messi’s new stadium | Club owners | New coach

Enter Messi, a delicate dribbler and passer who tends to leave defenders lying in his wake. Expect the Argentinian playmaker to create bundles of scoring chances over the course of his time in the sun.

It won’t all be smooth sailing for Messi, who went from the heights of European soccer down to the dumpster fire that has been Inter Miami in 2023. Still, he’s got a wand of a left foot, an ever-expanding radar laying out the most susceptible points in a defense and that touch of flair to put butts in seats.

MORE: How Inter Miami starting 11 could look with Messi, Alba, Busquets

Fans will be hoping to get a glimpse of everything he offers when his club takes on Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup.

The Sporting News is following the match live and providing score updates and commentary.

Inter Miami vs. Cruz Azul score

  1H 2H Final
Inter Miami 1 — —
Cruz Azul 0 — —

Goals: Taylor, ’43

Inter Miami vs. Cruz Azul live updates, highlights from Lionel Messi’s debut

(All times Eastern)

43rd minute: GOAL! Taylor gets onto the end of a lofted pass, goes one on one with the fullback and slots it into the bottom corner. Very Mbappe-like, if I do say so myself.

Inter Miami 1, Cruz Azul 0

35th minute: This Cruz Azul counter is vivacious. Another mazy run results in a shot on cage. However, it fails to nestle into the corner. Still 0-0.

30th minute: A string of substitutions take place after Fray suffered what looked to be a serious injury. He’s already dealt with one ACL tear in his career. Hoping for the best for the youngster. Cruz Azul also makes a swap as the game get a bit stretched.

15th minute: Inter Miami struggling to handle the swiftness of Cruz Azul’s attack. Another numerical disadvantage gifts a chance to the Liga MX outfit. Fortunately, strong defending keeps the score level at 0.

13th minute: Big chance for Cambindo and Cruz Azul! The winger gets on the end of a delicate through pass and gets one-on-one with Callender! But his shot drags wide! Big sigh of relief from the Floridians at the ground.

10th minute: Inter Miami’s first scoring chance falls to Campana, who scuffs his shot straight to the goalkeeper. Pretty open game thus far. Could be a dangerous proposition from Cruz Azul once Messi gets on the pitch.

3rd minute.: Rapid counter attack nearly comes off for Cruz Azul! However, the final shot is tame, falling gracefully into the arms of Callender.

1st minute: The ball is kicked off and here we go! Already a quick start for La Maquina, who force Miller into action a minute into the game. Decent cross but solid defending by the Canadian international, who was on his toes from the get-go.

8:16 p.m.: Lots of youngsters included in Inter Miami’s squad. Should be a lively affair.

8:15 p.m.: Captains meeting at the center circle. The Messi era is set to get kicked off shortly.

7:30 p.m.: Plenty of fanfare for Messi’s arrival. However, fans will have to wait a bit for his official debut: he starts tonight’s game on the bench.

Meanwhile, here is Cruz Azul’s starting XI:

7:15 p.m.: MLS’s official Twitter account has got jokes, huh?

6:50 pm.: The grass at DRV PNK Stadium is finely manicured ahead of tonight’s showcase. Only the best for Messi and Co.

6:30 p.m.: And here comes the main event: Messi and Busquets headed into the stadium ahead of their Inter Miami debuts. Plenty of fanfare surrounding them.

6:25 p.m.: Perhaps the three greatest athletes in their respective sports, all in one setting. A star-studded affair, indeed.

6:20 p.m.: Flags detailing all of Messi’s wonderment are sprawled across the concourses. This is setting up to be quite the homecoming.

6:00 p.m. (Two hours from kickoff): Looks like Messi isn’t the only member of sporting royalty to be at DRV PNK Stadium.

Inter Miami vs. Cruz Azul lineups

It has been far from a steady campaign for David Beckham’s Inter Miami, which finds itself fixed at the bottom of the league table after 22 games.

The Eastern Conference outfit isn’t lacking in star power, boasting former Mexico coach Tata Martino, longtime Atlanta United marksman Josef Martinez and fellow newcomer Sergio Busquets, among others. Still, the lineup lacks creativity. Fortunately, it’s adding one of the game’s greatest-ever puppetmasters in Messi, a player who can find a striker through a monsoon. La Pulga figures to give Martino’s squad just the sort of playmaking boost it has been craving once he gets up to speed. While that might not be enough for Inter Miami to earn a postseason appearance this year, it will certainly captivate audiences.

Inter Miami starting lineup (4-3-3): Drake Callender (GK) — Ian Fray, Sergiy Kryvtsov, Kamal Miller, DeAndre Yedlin (c) — Dixon Arroyo, David Ruiz, Benjamin Cremaschi — Robert Taylor, Leonardo Campana, Robbie Robinson.

Inter Miami subs (12): Dos Santos, Jensen, McVey, Sailor, Neville, Sailor, Ulloa, Busquets, Allen, Azcona, Borgelin, Martinez, Messi

Inter Miami subs (12): Dos Santos, Jensen, McVey, Sailor, Neville, Sailor, Ulloa, Busquets, Allen, Azcona, Borgelin, Martinez, Messi

As one of Liga MX’s biggest clubs, Cruz Azul represents a formidable foe for Messi and Co. Much like their opposition, La Maquina have struggled in the opening portion of their season, dropping each of their first three matches. Uriel Antuna leads the line for the Mexico City side, who are hoping to settle into mid-table form.

Cruz Azul projected starting lineup (4-3-3): Andres Guidino (GK) — Rodrigo Huescas, Willer Ditta, Carlos Salcedo, Ignacio Rivero — Kevin Castano, Erik Lira, Christian Tabo — Rodolfo Rotondi, Moises Vieira, Diber Cambindo

Cruz Azul subs (12): Jurado, Castano, Lira, Tabo, Escoboza, Lotti, Escobar, Iturbide, Jimenez, Cabanas, Diaz, Zubiri

Cruz Azul subs (12): To be confirmed

MORE: What to know about Lionel Messi’s new South Florida apartment

How to watch Inter Miami vs. Cruz Azul

  UK USA Canada Australia
Date Sat., July 22 Fri., July 21 Fri., July 21 Sat., July 22
Time 1 a.m. GMT 8 p.m. ET 8 p.m. ET 10 a.m. ACT
  • TV channel: Univision, TUDN (U.S.)
  • Streaming: Apple TV+ MLS Season Pass, Fubo

Fans across the globe can access Messi’s Inter Miami debut via Apple TV+’s MLS Season Pass, with a subscription. The game will also be streamed on Fubo, which carries Univision and TUDN and offers a free trial.

MORE: Watch MLS Season Pass on Apple TV at 50% off the full-season price

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