New Inter Miami head coach Christian Gonzalez couldn’t have made a better start for the club, winning a trophy in his first game, leading Inter Miami to a 2-0 victory over Cruz Azul to win the Campinez Cup. Lionel Messi’s rare header gave the Argentinian his 100th goal for the club, just as he scored his first against the Mexican side. Casemiro scored an insurance goal in the rain at the Nuremberg Stadium, his fourth goal in the last five games for the club. This also earned their new home their first trophy since its opening in April 2026.
The Campeones Cup is a contest between the defending champions of the MLS Cup and Liga MX to determine the best team in both leagues. This is the first time a MLS team has won the competition since New York City defeated Atlas in 2022, and it is also the first time Inter Miami has lifted the Campinees Cup. This is a big moment for Inter Miami after failing to win in their past three games, all drawing, despite not picking up points in the MLS standings.
Needing to start this new era on the right foot, Luis Suarez returned to the lineup and made an impact alongside Lionel Messi and German Beltrame. While Beltrame hasn’t been the goal-scorer expected since arriving from Monterrey of Liga MX, his work rate has helped Miami defend from the front.
In Messi’s 100th goal for Inter Miami, his performance was quite bad: 69 left-footed goals, 9 right-footed goals, 10 free-kick goals, 6 header goals, 5 penalty kick goals, and even 1 chest goal. There are not enough words to express how Messi has become one of them, but you have to be grateful every time we see the Argentinian chef lift the 49th trophy of his career on the football field.
When Facundo Moura left the field injured in the 75th minute, it wasn’t all smiles. Ian Fray is already out, and with Cruz Azul growing up, Gonzalo Lujan will have to be replaced for the rest of the game. But Casemiro’s header erased all that and Miami added another trophy with Messi. The Herons have not gone a season without winning trophies under Messi, winning the League Cup, Supporters’ Shield, MLS Cup and now the Campines Cup.
Of course, it’s far from over as Miami’s winless streak ends as they look to get back on their feet and defend their MLS Cup title. Nashville SC may dominate the regular season as the Eastern Conference champions, but who will take home the MLS Cup remains unknown, and the Herons will certainly have a say in the playoffs.
“It gives us a lot of confidence as a team, and we know that once you get a taste of a trophy, you want more,” goalkeeper Dane St. Clair said of the trophy after the game. “Because our expectation is not just one, but to win multiple [trophies]”.
The Herons next face Santiago FC at home, with a chance to add another three points and continue a strong start to the Gonzalez era that has seen them keep a clean sheet for the first time in 12 games in all competitions.