MIAMI — Inter Miami CF opened its 2026 Leagues Cup campaign with a statement, defeating Mexican side Atletico de San Luis 4-2 on Wednesday night behind a first-half masterclass from Lionel Messi and a career night from left back Noah Allen.
Miami was without star striker Luis Suarez, who is serving a six-game suspension after spitting on a Seattle Sounders staff member during the 2025 Leagues Cup final.
The Herons, champions of the 2023 Leagues Cup, are aiming to reach their third final in four years after falling to Seattle in last season’s championship match.
Wednesday also marked the first time Messi and Brazilian midfielder Casemiro started together for Miami.
The night could not have started much worse for the Herons.
San Luis stunned the home crowd by opening the scoring just three minutes into the match, exposing Miami’s defense before the hosts had a chance to settle into the game.
Rather than panic, Miami responded immediately.
Just five minutes later, Messi brought the match level. Allen whipped a cross into the penalty area, where the Argentine star met it with a composed left-footed volley that beat the San Luis goalkeeper for his first goal since returning from the World Cup break.
The equalizer transformed the atmosphere inside Nu Stadium.
With the crowd fully behind them, Miami seized control of possession and dictated the pace for the remainder of the first half.
Miami briefly thought it had taken the lead through Pinter, but VAR ruled the goal offside.
The disappointment lasted only moments.
Venezuelan winger Telasco Segovia restored Miami’s momentum by finishing off another attacking move, giving the Herons a 2-1 advantage just before the first-half hydration break. Allen collected his second assist of the evening.
San Luis appeared to have a golden opportunity to pull level after being awarded a penalty, but VAR intervened once again. Following a review, officials overturned the decision, ruling the San Luis attacker had dived and awarding Miami a free kick instead.
The reversal proved costly.
Moments before halftime, Miami produced one of its best team goals of the season. Allen delivered another dangerous cross from the left, and midfielder Yannick Bright cleverly allowed the ball to run through his legs, leaving Messi unmarked inside the box. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner made no mistake, finishing comfortably for his second goal of the night.
Allen’s third assist completed an assist hat trick.
Miami added one more before the break.
On the final corner kick of the half, Messi curled a dangerous ball into the area, where center back Micael rose highest to head home and extend the lead to 4-1. Messi earned his first assist of the night as Miami headed into halftime firmly in control.
San Luis refused to disappear quietly.
The visitors opened the second half with a spectacular long-range strike to trim the deficit to 4-2 and briefly swung the momentum in their favor. They controlled much of the possession after the goal, forcing Miami to defend for extended stretches.
Still, the Herons remained composed, protecting their two-goal cushion without allowing San Luis to mount another serious comeback.
Play was halted in the 68th minute because of lightning in the area, sending both teams to the locker room during a 30-minute weather delay.
When play resumed, the match never regained its earlier intensity.
Miami was content to manage the clock, limiting San Luis’s opportunities while comfortably seeing out the result.
The final whistle secured Inter Miami’s first victory of the 2026 Leagues Cup, powered by another brilliant performance from Messi and a breakout playmaking display from Allen.
The Herons return to action Saturday when they face Monterrey at 8 p.m.
Copyright 2026 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.
