Lionel Messi watched from the sidelines, while Inter Miami advanced to the knockout stage in the 2025 Leagues Cup tournament.

Luis Suárez had the game-winning penalty kick, and Inter Miami rallied to beat Necaxa in the Leagues Cup after losing Lionel Messi to a hamstring injury in the opening minutes.

The Leagues Cup, first introduced in 2019, pits the best clubs from Major League Soccer against those from Mexico’s top professional league, Liga MX. It has led to some exciting action, as it gives each league the chance to earn bragging rights, along with the opportunity for clubs to take home a trophy.

Inter Miami will play Pumas on Aug. 6 in their final match of the Leagues Cup group stage. Inter Miami will play two regular-season matches – at Orlando City on Aug. 10, and at home against the L.A. Galaxy on Aug. 16 – before the Leagues Cup quarterfinals on Aug. 19 and 20, if they qualify for the knockout stage.

Luis Suárez scored and had two assists, and Inter Miami beat Pumas 3-1 on Wednesday night to advance in the Leagues Cup.

Luis Suarez broke his scoring drought with a penalty kick goal in the second half to help Inter Miami beat Pumas and advance in Leagues Cup.