On the morning of July 28 (Vietnam time), defending champions Inter Miami won 2-0 at home against Mexico’s Puebla, starting their journey to defend their Leagues Cup title.

Paraguayan player Matias Rojas opened the scoring in the 9th minute

and veteran Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez added another goal in the 72nd minute, sealing the victory for Inter Miami.

Inter Miami played without superstar Lionel Messi.

The 37-year-old striker is still recovering from an ankle injury he suffered two weeks ago, in Argentina’s victory over Colombia in the 2024 Copa America final.

Messi, who led Miami to the Leagues Cup title shortly after joining the club last summer, missed two of Inter Miami’s MLS matches and the MLS All-Star match three days ago.

The Leagues Cup is a tournament featuring MLS clubs from the US and Liga MX from Mexico, with each group having three teams. The top two clubs from each group will advance to the knockout stage.

Next Saturday, Inter Miami will face another Mexican representative, Tigres.

In other group openers this morning, Mexico’s Atlas beat Houston 1-0, New England beat Mazatlan 1-0, Philadelphia beat Charlotte 1-0 and Toronto defeated the New York Bulls 5-4 on penalties after a goalless draw.