With two assists from Lionel Messi, Rodrigo de Paul's debut, and a goal from Chelo Weigandt, Inter Miami achieved a close victory over Atlas.

In the dying moments of the match and with a great appearance by Lionel Messi to assist Marcelo Weigandt , Inter Miami debuted with a 2-1 victory against Atlas of Mexico and added the first three points in the initial phase of the Leagues Cup, which also saw the debut of Rodrigo De Paul , now the Rosario native's teammate.

Inter Miami is solidifying its position as an Argentine branch. With the arrival of De Paul, coach Javier Mascherano now has 11 compatriots at his disposal . And in the opening match against the Mexicans, he had six starters: goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo, defenders Gonzalo Luján and Chelo Weigandt, in the middle alongside Busquets, the national team midfielder, and Messi and Tadeo Allende in the attacking three. Federico Redondo came on later, and Tomás Avilés remained on the bench.

Throughout the match, the focus was on the partnership that De Paul and Messi could create , as they often did for the Argentine national team. There were a couple of encounters and plenty of coaching, especially from the Argentine captain to his new teammate. The best partnership came in the 14th minute, when Leo touched Rodrigo inside the box, who sent a short cross for Allende's head, but the ball went wide.

They strike first! 🔥⚽️ Sergio Busquets set up Messi and Leo left a sweetheart for Segovia @InterMiamiCF 1-0 @AtlasFC #LeaguesCup2025 pic.twitter.com/LOMggMV0Mx

— Leagues Cup (@LeaguesCup) July 31, 2025

In the first half, Inter Miami was the better side, with some clearer chances than their opponents. Messi had a pair of corner kicks (it was notable that De Paul took the corner once), also a free kick from the right, ideal for his shot that always creates danger. He drew a hard foul from Sergio Hernández, and attempted several dribbles and precise passes, some successful and others not.

Wake up the Foxes! 🦊⚽️ José Lozano didn't waste the opportunity and scored the equalizer! #LeaguesCup2025 pic.twitter.com/SwY133v4jq

— Leagues Cup (@LeaguesCup) July 31, 2025

De Paul moved as usual, more on the right flank and slightly further forward than Busquets (he made a mistake coming off the pitch that created a dangerous attack for the opposition). The most important part of his performances was his changes of pace to quickly find Messi.

At the end of the first half, Inter Miami had the clearest chance: Messi touched it to Jordi Alba, who passed it to Suárez, the Uruguayan bounced it and the ball hit the crossbar . At the start of the final half, the Argentine team also had the best chances, and once again, El Pistolero had the best chance, with a shot that goalkeeper Vargas sent to the corner.

TEAM WORK! 🤩⚽️ The experts came together, Messi's second assist and Weigandt didn't miss! #LeaguesCup2025 pic.twitter.com/5D8Ts1wDII

— Leagues Cup (@LeaguesCup) July 31, 2025

That better start from Inter Miami was rewarded in the 12th minute, with a play that began on the right with a partnership between Messi and De Paul , there was a deep pass to Suárez, who threw a cross over, Messi appeared free, shot at goal, there was a rebound and the talent of Busquets was present, who found the Rosario native in the area and the Argentine passed back for Segovia to define with an empty net to make it 1-0.

Inter Miami had the game relatively under control, but in the 34th minute, Hernández beat De Paul and Weigandt on the left, and Lozano equalized after a rebound from the cross. The match was headed to penalties, as the tournament's rules are similar to the Argentine tournament of the 1988/89 season, when ties were decided by penalties for an extra point. However, Messi stepped up at the end, played a one-two with Suárez, and assisted Chelo Weigandt to seal the game, which was a suspenseful one-two, as VAR drew the line and confirmed that both Argentines were eligible.