Inter Miami 2-0 Puebla: summary, score, goals, highlights Leagues Cup
Inter Miami - Puebla: Live updates
Inter Miami make winning start to Leagues Cup defence
No Messi, no problems for Inter Miami as they brushed aside Puebla at Chase Stadium on Saturday night. The Herons' captain is out with an ankle injury but Tata Martino's side put in an assured performance in his absence.
Miami started fast and took the lead through Matias Rojas within the first ten minutes. The Paraguayan midfielder lashed home from a tight angle to take his tally for the season to five goals.
The pace of the game dipped slightly in the second half as the hosts took their foot off the gas but they found a second goal with 20 minutes remaining. Julian Gressel and Jordi Alba combined to find put the ball on a plate for Luis Suarez, who coolly slotted home into an empty net.
Inter Miami start their 2024 Leagues Cup with a win but tougher tests await for the reigning champions.
Peeep peeeeep peeeeeeeeeeep
Inter Miami kick-start their Leagues Cup journey with a 2-0 victory over Puebla at Chase Stadium. It wasn't the most thrilling performance from the Herons but the holders got the job done.
A quick word for David Martinez, making his first appearance for Inter Miami tonight in the heart of defence. We haven't heard his name much tonight - often a good sign for a defender - but he's quietly gone about his business with real composure on his debut.
He'll be a useful addition and looks like a good partner for the languid Sergio Busquets in defence.
Leo Afonso
The Miami substitute is booked for blocking Miguel Jimenez as the Puebla goalkeeper tried to launch a counter-attack.
The fourth official confirms that we'll have four minutes of stoppage time at the end of the second half.
Final Inter Miami chance sees Noah Allen come on to replace Jordi Alba, who has looked imperious at times tonight.
David Ruiz crumples to the ground after a heavy clash in the middle of the field. The young midfield takes a second to get his breath but soon gets to his feet.
Jordi Alba looks up and clips a pass into the path of Leonardo Camapana in the box. He does well to pin the defender Orona and spins to make space for a shot.
Campana's effort is weak and easily saved.
Double change for Inter Miami. Tonight's scorers - Luis Suarez and Matias Rojas - come off. Leonardo Campana and Ian Fray replace them
Afonso heads away a Puebla corner kick and Luis Suarez does brilliantly to hold the ball up for his team, wining a free kick as he tumbles to the ground.
Puebla works the ball through to Cavallini on the edge of the box and he tries to bundle his way through the Inter Miami backline.
He looks to make space for a shot but is quickly crowded out and the chance is gone, if it ever really existed.
Presented with a bit of space near the touchline, Jordi Alba clips an inch-perfect 50-yard ball through to Julian Gressel as he runs in on goal. He brings the ball down well but doesn't have the pace to get away from the recovering defenders and he's dispossessed.
David Ruiz picks up the ball in midfield and looks to get Inter Miami playing.
We haven't seen anything from Lucas Cavallini so far, it could almost be too late for the Puebla star to have any real impact on the result.
Watch: Luis Suarez goal doubles Inter Miami lead
Brilliant move from Inter Miami to give Luis Suarez the chance, starting with a sweeping through ball from Julian Gressel. Jordi Alba and Suarez do the rest.
And there's a triple change for Puebla.
Durán, Angulo and García come on. Ormeño, Rodríguez and Ferrareis are replaced. That's the full five subs for Puebla, the last roll of the dice.
Double change for Inter Miami now as Robert Taylor and Federico Redondo come off. David Ruiz and Leo Afonso come on in their place.
Another good chance for Miami as Robert Taylor makes good progress down the left before cutting inside onto his right foot. He's got a space for a shot but his effort is weak, easily stopped by Jimenez.
GOOOOOAAAAAAAL! Luis Suarez
And now they get it right! Jordi Alba races through on goal and selflessly squares the ball to Luis Suarez who taps the ball into an empty net!
Inter Miami have that crucial second goal!
Suarez and Alba try to fashion something in the Puebla box but they're crowded out by recovering defenders.
Inter Miami have the chance for a counter attack but Redondo makes the wrong decision, bizarrely opting to play the ball to Suarez on the wing rather than Taylor bursting through the middle.
Needless to say, Suarez can't reach the ball and it dribbles out for a Puebla throw-in.
Clever clipped ball forward from Miami sets Robert Taylor free on the left flank. He tries to slide the ball into Suarez in the middle but it's a poor pass, easily cleared.
The quality really seems to have dropped off after the break.
It's Lucas Cavallini and Daniel Alvarez who come on for Puebla. Velasco and Castillo are replaced.
Big change for the visitors, who need a goal here.
It's Lucas Cavallini who's coming on for Puebla, the Liga MX top scorer. That could shake things up for the visitors.
Luis Suarez tumbles to the ground after bumping into a Puebla defender. Free kick to Inter Miami, 40 yards from goal.
Look out - we may be seeing some imminent changes!
Slick attacking move from Inter Miami works the ball out to Weigandt on the right but his cross hits the first man. The hosts retain possession but the momentum is lost and they return to a more patient build up.
We reach the hourmark at Chase Stadium and there's still no changes for either team. You'd imagine that top scorer Lucas Cavallini will enter for Puebla before too long.
Good work from Matias Rojas, using his body to shield the ball and win a free kick for Miami right in from of the benches.
Puebla come forward on the right and Castillo swings the ball into the box. It's a decent ball but no one in the middle can connect cleanly with the cross and the ball is deflected out for a Miami goal kick.
It's been a slow start to the second half with no real openings for either team. This will suit Miami, who lead, but you wonder if they will come to regret not pressing home their early advantage.
Rare mistake from Yannick Bright as the Miami midfielder is caught on the ball. Puebla fail to make the most of the opportunity and Miami quickly win the ball back.
They've looked really good off the ball tonight.
Kevin Velasco
Now the Puebla forward goes into the book after catching Matias Rojas while trying to shield the ball. It wasn't intention, but that will definitely sting for the Miami scorer.
Luis Suarez
First booking of the game goes to Suarez after the veteran striker kicked the ball away in frustration. He continues to berate the referee.
Luis Suarez takes a tumble in the early stages of the second half. Inter Miami win a free kick but Puebla soon win the ball back.
And we're back!
Inter Miami get the second half underway...
Lionel Messi watches on as Inter Miami lead
He's not expected back on the field any time soon but at least Lionel Messi is in the stadium as Inter Miami begin their defence of Leagues Cup. He was seen wearing a large protective boot on his right ankle earlier this week, it's not clear if he's still wearing it tonight.
Quiet start on Leagues Cup Day 2
Just two goals in the opening 45 minutes of action this Saturday evening. Aside from the Inter Miami strike, the only other goal so far is Tai Baribo's opener for Philadelphia Union.
Watch: Matias Rojas fires Inter Miami ahead
The hosts lead thanks to this brilliant finish from Rojas, lashing the ball past Miguael Jimenez from a tight angle. The Paraguayan joined Miami as a mid-season signing and he's proved a real goal threat during his first months with the team.
Rojas now has five goals in 11 appearances from midfield, with a couple of stunners among that number.
Inter Miami lead at the break
That's all from the first 45 minutes at Chase Stadium. Good start from the Herons, but they may feel like they could have extended their lead after such a promising early spell.
Alberto Herrera takes aim from a good 35 yards out and forces a save from Dos Santos. He palms the ball out for a corner kick, which Puebla take quickly and Miami clear easily.
The second corner kick is a poor one and Inter Miami clear easily.
Puebla come straight back at them and Kevin Velasco does well to win a free kick on the right of the box. Another chance for the Mexican side to deliver with quality.
We're going to have two minutes of stoppage time.
Sergio Busquets gets his head on the cross and flicks it out for another corner kick on the far side.
It'll be Velasco to take from the right...
Puebla manage a rare foray forward down the right but Velasco's cross is poor. The visitors manage to keep possession and force a corner kick.
Can they make something from this late chance?
Things have settled down again and, you have to say, this has been a really professional job from Inter Miami in the first half. They've dominated the ball, forged some good chances and restricted Puebla to pot shots from distance.
Gressel takes the free kick from out on the right, swinging it into the box. Suarez heads over, goal kick to Puebla.
Controversially Inter Miami decide to play on and take the corner kick.
The ball is cleared but Jair Gonzalez hacks down Yannick Bright. This is getting feisty now...
It's all kicking off!
A bit of pushing breaks out here after Robert Taylor plays on after his team tried to play the ball back to Puebla in a show of sportsmanship. Taylor didn't get the memo and opted to play on, forcing a sharp save from Jimenez.
Taylor is targeting by the Puebla players. Suarez jogs over to defend him.
The Puebla free kick is right on the edge of the D, around 25 yards out...
Puebla captain Diego de Buen steps up to take but hits the wall. A wasted effort.
Another foul is called on Redondo in a really dangerous position this time. The Inter Miami midfielder can feel a little harshly done-by with that decision, but he's put his team in danger.
It's Raul Castillo who takes it and curls the ball towards the top corner. It's a great effort from 30 yards out but the strike drifts just wide of the top corner.
Still Inter Miami 1-0 Puebla.
Back-up keeper CJ dos Santos sets his wall for Inter Miami.
It looks like it'll be Castillo to take. Or maybe Velasco...
Redondo is penalised for a foul, around 30 yards from goal on the edge of the Inter Miami box. A decent chance for a strike here for Puebla.
Lionel Messi in attendance at Chase Stadium
Away from the action, Lionel Messi watches on from the sidelines. We can't quite see if he's still rocking the moon boot but it's fair to assume that he's not particularly close to a return to the team.
First signs of frustrations from Puebla as team captain Diego de Buen steps forward and balloons a shot well over the crossbar.
Whistles of derision from the crowd.
Alberto Herrera picks up the ball with space in the midfield and looks to drive at the Miami defence. But before he can make progress Yannick Bright emerges from nowhere and coolly dispossesses the Puebla forward.
Brilliant stuff from the young midfielder.
Federico Redondo is penalised for a late challenge on the halfway line.
A bit of a lull in the game now as Inter Miami take their foot off the gas for a few minutes. The Herons are stroking the ball around nicely in midfield, no real threat at the moment though.
Watch: Matias Rojas goal fires Inter Miami ahead
The Herons have a well-deserved lead in their Leagues Cup opener, courtesy of this fine strike from Rojas. He's scored a few impressive goals in his first months in South Florida.
The Inter Miami attacks continue with long-range attempts from Rojas and Alba. Both effort are rebuffed, but it's more good work from the hosts.
Yannick Bright is fouled midway into the Puebla half. Free kick to Inter Miami, another impressive start from Bright in the middle of midfield.
Jair Gonzalez squares up Weigandt on the edge of the Miami box and darts towards goal. For a second he looks to have got away from the Miami full-back but Weigandt manages to get back and shepard the ball out for a goal kick.
Inter Miami have looked really composed in the opening stages, while also managing to press effectively out of possession. The three behind Suarez - Rojas, Gressel, Taylor - are all working hard and getting the rewards.
Inter Miami hit the post!
Julian Gressel pounces on a defensive lapse from Puebla and charges through on goal. He pokes the ball past the goalkeeper but his attempt bounces agonisingly onto the post.
Another near miss for the Herons, who are really in control now.
Jair Gonzalez drifts inside form the left but he runs into traffic and gives away a foul trying to retain the ball.
The corner kick is a poor one and Luis Suarez heads the ball clear at the front post.
What do Puebla do now? They've been quite passive in the early stages and Miami are managing to pick their way through the backline. Will they come out more now?
They come up the other end and win a corner kick...
Rojas denied one-on-one
Another clever run from Rojas into the box finds him face-to-face with Jimenez again. He tries to dink the ball over him but the stopper stands tall.
ANother good chance for Miami.
GOOOOAAAAAL! Matias Rojas
And just like that, the Herons break through!
A clever ball through finds Rojas on the left of the box and he lashes a brilliant left-footed strike past Jimenez from a tight angle.
Inter Miami lead!
Inter Miami are dominating the ball in the early stages but Puebla are making it very difficult to break them down. They're sitting compact, well within their own half, and launching on the counter-attack.
Luis Suarez does well to hold the ball up and lay it off for Gressel on the right. The Uruguayan is in the box to meet Gressel's cross but can't direct it on target.
First sight at goal for Puebla. Kevin Velasco cuts inside from the right and lashes a left-footed shot just wide of the post. Good play from the wide man.
Yep, VAR confirmation of that decision. Weigandt's back post finish is ruled out for an offside.
Shame, it was a really clever finish from the Inter Miami fullback. He flicked it into the top corner with the outside of his right boot.
Weigandt has the ball in the net
The corner is played short to Alba and curled into the box. Marcelo Weigandt bundles it home at the back post but the flag is up. Good decision, he'd strayed just offside.
Matias ROjas fails to bring down a long ball forward but the ball bounces back off a Puebla defender and out for a Miami corner kick. Gressel to take...
Redondo pulls down Jair Gonzalez by the touchline, free kick to Puebla. Their wingers are lively.
From the off, it looks like Inter Miami are playing a 4-2-3-1 with Yannick Bright and Federico Redondo sitting in front of the defence. Robert Taylor on the left, Julian Gressel on the right. Matias Rojas is playing just behind Luis Suarez.
We're off!
Puebla get things underway. The action begins at Chase Stadium...
The teams are out!
Sergio Busquets, Inter Miami captain in the absence of Lionel Messi, leads out Inter Miami for this Leagues Cup clash.
Minutes to go until Inter Miami - Puebla kick-off
The final preparations are underway now. The stands are packed and the players of Inter Miami and Puebla are preparing to take to the field at Chase Stadium.
Mexicans in Miami for Leagues Cup clash
This midseason competition is designed to bring together all the top flight teams in the United States and Mexico and it proved a hit with supporters in 2024. There's a considerable Mexican contingent at Chase Stadium tonight for this one.
Kick-off approaches at Chase Stadium
Big things are expected from Inter Miami tonight, who hand a first start to new signing David Martinez in the heart of defence. He starts alongside veteran star Sergio Busquets, who has dropped into the backline in recent weeks.
Inter Miami are looking to get their 2024 Leagues Cup journey off to a winning start against Puebla. The Leagues Cup has undergone a massive overhaul in recent years and the prize money has been raised substantially.
Here's how much the MLS-Liga MX trophy is worth to the winners...
Lucas Cavallini drops out for Puebla
One of the big surprised from the Chase Stadium team news is the absence of Lucas Cavallini, the Puebla striker who has been in red-hot form in Liga MX. He's bagged four goals in the first four games in the new season, an impressive record from the No. 9.
It appears a hamstring injury suffered in last weekend's Atlas clash has kept him out of the starting XI, but he is fit enough for a place on the bench.
Inter Miami are back in their home kit this evening, meaning that we don't get another sighting of this stunning third jersey recently debuted by the team. The teams with the most jersey sales are granted the honour of a third kit for the season and Inter Miami were one of five teams to get an alternative kit for the 2024 campaign.
The champions are out!
Inter Miami take to the field at Chase Stadium as they begin their Leagues Cup defence. After playing their last game in the Dolphins-inspired third kit, the Herons are back in the classic all-pink colourway for their Leagues Cup clash against Puebla.
Here's how Puebla line up
Puebla head coach Jose Manuel de la Torre has named his starting XI for tonight's Leagues Cup opener. La Franja have struggled at the start of the Liga MX season, picking up just one win in their opening four games. Tonight offers a chance to kick-start their campaign.
We'll have full live coverage of Inter Miami - Puebla right here but you can also choose to watch or stream the game online. Here's everything you need to know..
Inter Miami team news to face Puebla
Here's how Tata Martino opts to line up this evening. Julian Gressel, Luis Suarez and Robert Taylor start again as the front three for the Herons.
Inter Miami in the house
The reigning champions arrive at Chase Stadium for tonight's game. Their squad is depleted by a series of injuries to important players but head coach Tata Martino has insisted that his team is more than capable of competing on all fronts, even with key absences.
He explained: "We assembled a deep roster knowing all the absences we would have between Copa America, Olympics and injuries, and we are in a good position. But we will not be at full strength until the end of August. We won't see our complete roster during Leagues Cup."
Scene is set at Chase Stadium
Blue skies and perfect playing conditions in South Florida, where we're about one hour away from kick-off between Inter Miami and Puebla. The Herons are still playing in a temporary stadium out in Fort Lauderdale but the construction of their new Freedom Park stadium is continuing apace.
Unfortunately, it's unlikely that Lionel Messi will ever play in their upcoming home.
While we wait for official team news from Chase Stadium, here's how we think Inter Miami will line up this evening. Many thought that the Herons would struggle without Lionel Messi but they have thrived in his absence and will be confident of continuing their winning run this evening.
Leagues Cup fixture schedule for Day 2
After all the Friday night excitement on the opening day of Leagues Cup, there's big pressure on today's fixtures to live up to that fast start. We'll be bringing you full live coverage of Inter Miami - Puebla but it's just one of the seven games on offer.
Why is Leagues Cup played in the middle of the MLS season? That's the question that top MLS stars were asking ahead of the start of the 2024 competition. The MLS regular season is approaching the final stretch now but all the domestic action will be put on hold for the MLS-Liga MX action.
Here's what MVP candidates Luciano Acosta and Riqui Puig had to say...
Inter Miami out to defend Leagues Cup
Last summer's Leagues Cup triumph was the stuff of dreams for Inter Miami fans. Sparked by the midseason arrival of Lionel Messi the Herons went on an incredible run, culminating in their first-ever piece of silverware.
Twelve months on, with a vastly changed side, Miami are looking to replicate that 2023 triumph.
This is the second year of the Leagues Cup in its new, vastly expanded 47-team format. Every top flight team in the United States and Mexico will take part in the competition, making the structure and the schedule a little difficult to understand.
Here's everything you need to know to follow Inter Miami's group stage progress...
Hello and welcome to AS USA.
I'm Will Gittins and I'll be bringing you full live coverage of Inter Miami's Leagues Cup opener against Puebla FC. As reigning champions the Herons will be targeting another deep run in this year's competition but they begin their journey without the injured Lionel Messi.
Away we go...