Monterrey Beats Inter Miami 2-1: Messi Absent

Monterrey secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Inter Miami in a Leagues Cup group match on August 8, 2026, with Diego Rossi scoring the decisive goal in the 90th minute. The match took place without the presence of Lionel Messi, who returned to his native Argentina following the death of his father, Jorge Messi, earlier that day.

The late-game heroics from Rossi capped an impressive comeback for the Mexican club, which erased a halftime deficit to keep their Leagues Cup hopes alive. For Inter Miami, the loss complicates their path to the knockout stage with only one group match remaining.

Messi Absence: A Family Tragedy

The most significant storyline surrounding this match was the absence of the 39-year-old superstar forward. Lionel Messi departed for Argentina after learning of his father’s passing, leaving his Inter Miami teammates to compete without their talismanic leader.

It remains unknown when Messi will return to the club. The Argentine legend had just returned to action following a two-week break after leading Argentina to a runner-up finish in the World Cup.

Messi made his first appearance as a reserve when Inter Miami tied Columbus in an MLS match on August 1. Just days before the Monterrey match, he delivered a stellar performance with two goals and an assist in Inter Miami’s 4-2 victory against Atletico San Luis on Wednesday.

De Paul’s Emotional Tribute to Messi

Rodrigo De Paul opened the scoring for Inter Miami in the 32nd minute with a spectacular strike from 25 yards that found the inside of the left post. Casemiro provided the assist with a centered pass that De Paul converted with precision.

In a touching moment of solidarity, De Paul temporarily removed his No. 7 jersey after scoring to reveal Messi’s No. 10 underneath. The gesture was a show of support for his Argentine national team and club teammate during this difficult time.

The tribute resulted in a yellow card for De Paul, but the moment resonated deeply with fans in attendance and those watching around the world. It demonstrated the close bond between the Argentine players on the Inter Miami roster.

Monterrey’s Second-Half Comeback

Monterrey entered halftime trailing 1-0 but emerged with renewed determination in the second half. Hugo Cuypers equalized just two minutes after the restart in the 47th minute, setting the stage for a thrilling finish.

Cuypers arrived at Monterrey following an impressive stint with the Chicago Fire. The forward was selected as a 2026 MLS All-Star and had scored 13 goals in 11 games this season before his transfer to the Mexican club on July 23.

The Belgian striker’s ability to find the net continued with his new team, proving that Monterrey’s investment in his services was already paying dividends on the continental stage.

Rossi’s Dramatic Winner in Stoppage Time

Diego Rossi delivered the knockout blow in the 90th minute, securing all three points for Monterrey with his late strike. The Uruguayan forward was signed by the Mexican club on July 3 from the Columbus Crew.

Rossi brings championship pedigree to Monterrey. He won the 2022 MLS Golden Boot while playing for LAFC and helped Columbus capture titles in both the 2023 MLS Cup and 2024 Leagues Cup.

His winning goal against Inter Miami demonstrated why Monterrey invested in bringing him south of the border. The forward has experience performing in high-pressure moments and delivered exactly when his team needed him most.

Inter Miami’s Knockout Stage Hopes in Jeopardy

With the loss, Inter Miami’s record stands at 1-1-0 with 3 points. The defending Leagues Cup champions from 2023, who also reached the final in 2024, now face an uphill battle to advance from their 18-team group.

The club’s chances of reaching the knockout stage appear bleak with only one match remaining. Inter Miami will need help from other results while securing a victory in their final group stage game.

Both teams finished the match with identical records of 1-0-1 and 3 points, meaning every remaining fixture carries significant weight for advancement.

Injury Concerns for Monterrey

Monterrey faced an early setback when defender Carlos Salcedo was forced to leave the match due to injury in the 15th minute. Jorge Rodríguez came on as his replacement.

Despite losing a key defensive player early in the contest, Monterrey’s back line held firm throughout the match and created the foundation for their second-half comeback. The team’s depth proved crucial in securing the victory.

Upcoming Matches: Final Group Stage Games

Both clubs will conclude their group phase on Wednesday with crucial matches that could determine their tournament fate. Inter Miami will host León at home, needing a victory to keep their hopes alive.

Meanwhile, Monterrey will travel to face Nashville looking to secure their spot in the knockout rounds. A win would significantly boost their chances of advancing, while Inter Miami must await other results even if they win.

For Latino fans in the United States, these matches represent compelling viewing as Liga MX and MLS clubs continue their annual battle for continental supremacy. The Leagues Cup has become a highlight of the summer soccer calendar.

What This Means for Latino Soccer Fans in the US

The Leagues Cup continues to provide exciting matchups between the best teams from MLS and Liga MX. For the Latino community in the United States, these games offer a unique opportunity to see top-level competition featuring stars from both leagues.

Inter Miami’s journey without Messi will be closely watched by fans who purchased tickets hoping to see the Argentine legend in action. The club has not announced any plans for ticket refunds or exchanges for fans affected by his absence.

The tournament’s group stage concludes this week, with knockout round matches beginning shortly after. Fans can catch the remaining games on various streaming platforms and broadcast networks carrying Leagues Cup coverage.