Friday night's Inter Miami-Cruz Azul match was setting up for a photo finish. All it needed was a sorcerer to unleash the fury of the Vice City crowd.
Enter Lionel Messi. The delicate dribbler drove into a sea of limbs to earn a free kick deep in stoppage time.
He stepped to the spot composed as ever, undaunted by the tempest of pink-clad supporters.
MORE:Tom Brady, LeBron James among celebs at Lionel Messi's first Inter Miami match
Then, euphoria: Messi curled his effort into the top corner, giving his new club the 2-1 win over their Mexican counterparts in the Leagues Cup.
It was a timid debut up to that point for the Argentinian icon, who had a few sumptuous touches after being substituted on in the 57th minute.
MORE:Inter Miami beginner's guide|Messi's new stadium|Club owners|New coach
But when his new team needed him most, he delivered. And it was only in a way that Messi could: by whipping his golden left foot around the ball and placing it like a marksman into the back of the net.
MORE: How Inter Miami starting 11 could look with Messi, Alba, Busquets
Fans wanted a chance to witness Messi's greatness firsthand. They got that and then some on Friday. They funneled out of the stadium in delirium as their new talisman left his mark on South Florida. All in a night's work for La Pulga.
The Sporting News followed the match live and providing score updates and commentary.
Inter Miami vs. Cruz Azul score
| 1H | 2H | Final | |
| Inter Miami | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Cruz Azul | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Goals: Taylor (43'), Antuna (65'), Messi (90+3')
Inter Miami vs. Cruz Azul live updates, highlights from Lionel Messi's debut
(All times Eastern)
90+3 minutes: GOAL!Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Messi curls a free kick into the top corner with the last kick of the game, securing a 2-1 win for Inter Miami!
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) July 22, 2023El primer gol de Messi con Inter Miami 🤯🤯👏👏
Messi scores in his first match with the club to give us the lead in the 94th minute. pic.twitter.com/pI7bYjEK63
Inter Miami 2, Cruz Azul 1
89th minute:Some more excellent link up play between Martinez and Messi results in what looked like it could have been a chance. However, Messi takes an extra touch and rams into the keeper. That will be a free kick for La Marquina. You’re starting to see the makings of just what Messi can offer a team in creativity, both for himself and others.
87th minute:What could have been?! Messi ghosts past the offside trap and sets up Martinez for an easy strike. However, the linesman ruled that he was offside. A look at the replay shows he just snuck too early.
76th minute:Cruz Azul has continued to look the more threatening side as this second half has wore on. A venomous strike outside the box stings Callender’s palms. For all the talent Inter Miami has, it has some way to go before becoming a real threat across the continent.
70th minute:Messi always has had a flair for the dramatic. He dug into that well once more, attempting an Olimpico — curling the ball straight into the net from a corner kick. It didn’t come off, but gives Miami residents a glimpse into just what he’s got in his locker.
65th minute: GOAL!Wonderful strike by Antuna levels the score at 1. Cruz Azul has been up for the challenge throughout the night. And they finally get their just rewards, with the winger smashing a rocket beyond Callender’s grasp.
https://t.co/t87AzwSCgB pic.twitter.com/BcW1rNs5yD
— Leagues Cup (@LeaguesCup) July 22, 2023
Inter Miami 1, Cruz Azul 1
57th minute:The first few touches of Messi’s Miami reign are about as delicate as could be expected. He was displaced while skipping down the field, however. That’s probably to be expected given his fitness levels at this point of the summer.
54th minute:Messi takes the pitch to a deluge of cheers. He’ll be donning the captain’s armband as well. Busquets and Martinez also headed on. The new-look Inter Miami era begins.
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 22, 2023The moment we’ve been waiting for.
Welcome to the show, Lionel Messi. pic.twitter.com/3NYCnVOpx9
52nd minute:La Pulga is coming on. The soccer world rejoices as Miami prepares to welcome its newest son. He’ll be joined by Busquets, who will also be making his Inter Miami debut in the process. Poetic, isn’t it.
45th minute:Back in action here in Vice City. Messi still seated, although you can’t imagine for much longer.
Halftime: Inter Miami 1, Cruz Azul 0
45+5 minutes:Good response by Cruz Azul, who gets into Inter Miami's box with relative ease to end the frame. However, astute positioning by Miller and Co. ensure that it's the Sunshine Boys who enter halftime with the league. Messi will slip onto the field to do his warmups during the intermission.
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. Accompanied with a fairly frenzied Messi celebration from the sidelines, as well. He's one of our own, he's one of our own...
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) July 22, 2023Taylor puts us on the board 👏👏👏
Robbie Robinson ➡️ Robert Taylor to give us the lead in in our opening @LeaguesCup match!#CAZvMIA | 0-1 | 📺 #MLSSeasonPass on @AppleTV pic.twitter.com/1qXPn2xPV8
Messi celebrating inter Miami first goal !! 😂🔥 pic.twitter.com/KdMlApgQzi
— Messi Media (@LeoMessiMedia) July 22, 2023
43' | GOLLLLL ROBI TAYLOOOOOOR pic.twitter.com/LH8HziipS4
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) July 22, 2023
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.
Tonight’s Starting XI vs Cruz Azul#CAZvMIA | 8:00PM ET |📺 #MLSSeasonPass on @AppleTV pic.twitter.com/xAKfYsdSf5
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) July 21, 2023
Meanwhile, here is Cruz Azul's starting XI:
— CRUZ AZUL (@CruzAzul) July 21, 2023¡El primer once de La Máquina en @LeaguesCup!
¡VAMOOOOOOS! 💙#AzulDePorVida pic.twitter.com/tZtLV8jopa
7:15 p.m.:MLS's official Twitter account has got jokes, huh?
1 ticket for 1 ticket for
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 21, 2023
Oppenheimer Messi debut
please 💣 please 💖 pic.twitter.com/DT9h2LNjlA
6:50 pm.:The grass at DRV PNK Stadium is finely manicured ahead of tonight's showcase. Only the best for Messi and Co.
¡Ya llegamos, @InterMiamiCF! 🦩 pic.twitter.com/QjELgl5Mac
— CRUZ AZUL (@CruzAzul) July 21, 2023
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.
Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets have arrived for their Inter Miami debuts 🍿 pic.twitter.com/lTRRDniKsC
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 21, 2023
6:25 p.m.:Perhaps the three greatest athletes in their respective sports, all in one setting. A star-studded affair, indeed.
Word is LeBron James , Tom Brady among the big names planning to attend Leo Messi’s Inter Miami debut tonight. @HeraldSports @MiamiHerald #InterMiamiCF #Messi𓃵
— Michelle Kaufman (@kaufsports) July 21, 2023
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.
LeBron James is expected to attend Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami debut on Friday, a source told ESPN.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) July 21, 2023
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
Tonight’s Starting XI vs Cruz Azul#CAZvMIA | 8:00PM ET |📺 #MLSSeasonPass on @AppleTV pic.twitter.com/xAKfYsdSf5
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) July 21, 2023
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 (@CruzAzul) July 21, 2023¡El primer once de La Máquina en @LeaguesCup!
¡VAMOOOOOOS! 💙#AzulDePorVida pic.twitter.com/tZtLV8jopa
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 | 1a.m. GMT | 8p.m. ET | 8p.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
