MIAMI — In a dramatic late turn of events in Saturday night’s Leagues Cup group stage clash, Diego Rossi netted the game-deciding goal in the final minute of regulation to deliver Monterrey a hard-fought 2-1 victory over an Inter Miami side forced to compete without global superstar Lionel Messi.
Messi, the 36-year-old Argentine icon, departed for his home country earlier the same day following the passing of his father and long-time agent Jorge Messi at age 68. As of the post-match report, no official timeline has been confirmed for his return to the Major League Soccer club.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner had recently wrapped a two-week hiatus after leading Argentina to a runner-up finish at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He made his first comeback appearance off the bench in Inter Miami’s August 1 MLS fixture, which ended in a 2-2 draw against Columbus Crew. Just three days before Saturday’s match, Messi put on a vintage performance in Miami’s opening Leagues Cup group game, notching two goals and one assist to secure a 4-2 win over Atletico San Luis.
The first half of Saturday’s match saw Inter Miami draw first blood in the 32nd minute, when Rodrigo De Paul fired a 25-yard strike that curved into the left side of the net past the Monterrey goalkeeper. In a show of solidarity with his grieving club and country teammate, De Paul pulled off his own number 7 jersey to reveal Messi’s iconic number 10 underneath the kit. The celebration resulted in a yellow card per competition rules, but the gesture quickly drew widespread support from fans across the globe.
Monterrey, which trailed 1-0 going into the halftime break, turned the tide in the second half. It only took two minutes after the restart for Hugo Cuypers to slot home the equalizer. The Belgian striker, who earned 2026 MLS All-Star honors and notched 13 goals in 11 appearances for the Chicago Fire before transferring to Monterrey on July 23, brought his side level to set up the final showdown.
Rossi, who was acquired by Monterrey from Columbus Crew on July 3, sealed the three points with his stoppage-time winner. The 2022 MLS Golden Boot winner, who previously helped Columbus claim the 2023 MLS Cup and 2024 Leagues Cup titles, capped off Monterrey’s second-half comeback with the decisive late strike.
An early injury disrupted Monterrey’s game plan in the first half: defender Carlos Salcedo was forced to exit the match in the 15th minute, with Jorge Rodríguez stepping in as his replacement.
With one group stage match remaining for both sides, both clubs currently hold an even 1-1-0 record with three points apiece. For Inter Miami, the defending 2023 Leagues Cup champions and 2024 tournament finalists, their path to the knockout round has grown significantly narrower after Saturday’s loss. Both teams will wrap up their group phase action next Wednesday: Inter Miami will play host to León at their home stadium, while Monterrey will travel to face Nashville SC.