Inter Miami - Puebla live online score, stats and updates | Group stage Leagues Cup

Watch: Matias Rojas fires Inter Miami ahead

The hosts lead thanks to this brilliant finish from Rojas, lashing the ball past Miguael Jimenez from a tight angle. The Paraguayan joined Miami as a mid-season signing and he's proved a real goal threat during his first months with the team. 

Rojas now has five goals in 11 appearances from midfield, with a couple of stunners among that number. 

Alberto Herrera takes aim from a good 35 yards out and forces a save from Dos Santos. He palms the ball out for a corner kick, which Puebla take quickly and Miami clear easily. 

The second corner kick is a poor one and Inter Miami clear easily. 

Puebla come straight back at them and Kevin Velasco does well to win a free kick on the right of the box. Another chance for the Mexican side to deliver with quality. 

We're going to have two minutes of stoppage time.

Sergio Busquets gets his head on the cross and flicks it out for another corner kick on the far side. 

It'll be Velasco to take from the right...

Puebla manage a rare foray forward down the right but Velasco's cross is poor. The visitors manage to keep possession and force a corner kick. 

Can they make something from this late chance?

Things have settled down again and, you have to say, this has been a really professional job from Inter Miami in the first half. They've dominated the ball, forged some good chances and restricted Puebla to pot shots from distance. 

Gressel takes the free kick from out on the right, swinging it into the box. Suarez heads over, goal kick to Puebla. 

Controversially Inter Miami decide to play on and take the corner kick.

The ball is cleared but Jair Gonzalez hacks down Yannick Bright. This is getting feisty now...

The Puebla free kick is right on the edge of the D, around 25 yards out...

Puebla captain Diego de Buen steps up to take but hits the wall. A wasted effort. 

Another foul is called on Redondo in a really dangerous position this time. The Inter Miami midfielder can feel a little harshly done-by with that decision, but he's put his team in danger.

It's Raul Castillo who takes it and curls the ball towards the top corner. It's a great effort from 30 yards out but the strike drifts just wide of the top corner. 

Still Inter Miami 1-0 Puebla. 

Back-up keeper CJ dos Santos sets his wall for Inter Miami. 

It looks like it'll be Castillo to take. Or maybe Velasco...

Redondo is penalised for a foul, around 30 yards from goal on the edge of the Inter Miami box. A decent chance for a strike here for Puebla. 

Lionel Messi in attendance at Chase Stadium

Away from the action, Lionel Messi watches on from the sidelines. We can't quite see if he's still rocking the moon boot but it's fair to assume that he's not particularly close to a return to the team. 

First signs of frustrations from Puebla as team captain Diego de Buen steps forward and balloons a shot well over the crossbar. 

Whistles of derision from the crowd. 

Alberto Herrera picks up the ball with space in the midfield and looks to drive at the Miami defence. But before he can make progress Yannick Bright emerges from nowhere and coolly dispossesses the Puebla forward. 

Brilliant stuff from the young midfielder. 

Federico Redondo is penalised for a late challenge on the halfway line. 

A bit of a lull in the game now as Inter Miami take their foot off the gas for a few minutes. The Herons are stroking the ball around nicely in midfield, no real threat at the moment though. 

Watch: Matias Rojas goal fires Inter Miami ahead

The Herons have a well-deserved lead in their Leagues Cup opener, courtesy of this fine strike from Rojas. He's scored a few impressive goals in his first months in South Florida. 

The Inter Miami attacks continue with long-range attempts from Rojas and Alba. Both effort are rebuffed, but it's more good work from the hosts. 

Yannick Bright is fouled midway into the Puebla half. Free kick to Inter Miami, another impressive start from Bright in the middle of midfield. 

Jair Gonzalez squares up Weigandt on the edge of the Miami box and darts towards goal. For a second he looks to have got away from the Miami full-back but Weigandt manages to get back and shepard the ball out for a goal kick. 

Inter Miami have looked really composed in the opening stages, while also managing to press effectively out of possession. The three behind Suarez - Rojas, Gressel, Taylor - are all working hard and getting the rewards. 

Jair Gonzalez drifts inside form the left but he runs into traffic and gives away a foul trying to retain the ball. 

The corner kick is a poor one and Luis Suarez heads the ball clear at the front post. 

What do Puebla do now? They've been quite passive in the early stages and Miami are managing to pick their way through the backline. Will they come out more now?

They come up the other end and win a corner kick...

Rojas denied one-on-one

Another clever run from Rojas into the box finds him face-to-face with Jimenez again. He tries to dink the ball over him but the stopper stands tall. 

ANother good chance for Miami. 

Inter Miami are dominating the ball in the early stages but Puebla are making it very difficult to break them down. They're sitting compact, well within their own half, and launching on the counter-attack. 

Luis Suarez does well to hold the ball up and lay it off for Gressel on the right. The Uruguayan is in the box to meet Gressel's cross but can't direct it on target. 

First sight at goal for Puebla. Kevin Velasco cuts inside from the right and lashes a left-footed shot just wide of the post. Good play from the wide man. 

Yep, VAR confirmation of that decision. Weigandt's back post finish is ruled out for an offside.

Shame, it was a really clever finish from the Inter Miami fullback. He flicked it into the top corner with the outside of his right boot. 

Matias ROjas fails to bring down a long ball forward but the ball bounces back off a Puebla defender and out for a Miami corner kick. Gressel to take...

Redondo pulls down Jair Gonzalez by the touchline, free kick to Puebla. Their wingers are lively. 

From the off, it looks like Inter Miami are playing a 4-2-3-1 with Yannick Bright and Federico Redondo sitting in front of the defence. Robert Taylor on the left, Julian Gressel on the right. Matias Rojas is playing just behind Luis Suarez. 

We're off!

Puebla get things underway. The action begins at Chase Stadium...

The teams are out!

Sergio Busquets, Inter Miami captain in the absence of Lionel Messi, leads out Inter Miami for this Leagues Cup clash. 

Minutes to go until Inter Miami - Puebla kick-off

The final preparations are underway now. The stands are packed and the players of Inter Miami and Puebla are preparing to take to the field at Chase Stadium. 

Mexicans in Miami for Leagues Cup clash

This midseason comPetition is designed to bring together all the top flight teams in the United States and Mexico and it proved a hit with supporters in 2024. There's a considerable Mexican contingent at Chase Stadium tonight for this one. 

Kick-off approaches at Chase Stadium

Big things are expected from Inter Miami tonight, who hand a first start to new signing David Martinez in the heart of defence. He starts alongside veteran star Sergio Busquets, who has dropped into the backline in recent weeks. 

LEAGUES CUP 2024

How much do MLS and Mexican clubs earn in the 2024 Leagues Cup?

Inter Miami are looking to get their 2024 Leagues Cup journey off to a winning start against Puebla. The Leagues Cup has undergone a massive overhaul in recent years and the prize money has been raised substantially. 

Here's how much the MLS-Liga MX trophy is worth to the winners...

How much do League Cup winners earn?

Lucas Cavallini drops out for Puebla

One of the big surprised from the Chase Stadium team news is the absence of Lucas Cavallini, the Puebla striker who has been in red-hot form in Liga MX. He's bagged four goals in the first four games in the new season, an impressive record from the No. 9. 

It appears a hamstring injury suffered in last weekend's Atlas clash has kept him out of the starting XI, but he is fit enough for a place on the bench. 

MLS

Lionel Messi unveils Inter Miami throwback jersey: Which MLS teams have a third kit?

Inter Miami are back in their home kit this evening, meaning that we don't get another sighting of this stunning third jersey recently debuted by the team. The teams with the most jersey sales are granted the honour of a third kit for the season and Inter Miami were one of five teams to get an alternative kit for the 2024 campaign. 

Inter Miami's third kit

The champions are out!

Inter Miami take to the field at Chase Stadium as they begin their Leagues Cup defence. After playing their last game in the Dolphins-inspired third kit, the Herons are back in the classic all-pink colourway for their Leagues Cup clash against Puebla. 

Here's how Puebla line up

Puebla head coach Jose Manuel de la Torre has named his starting XI for tonight's Leagues Cup opener. La Franja have struggled at the start of the Liga MX season, picking up just one win in their opening four Games. Tonight offers a chance to kick-start their campaign. 

LEAGUES CUP

When is Puebla - Inter Miami? Times, how to watch on TV and stream online | Leagues Cup

We'll have full live coverage of Inter Miami - Puebla right here but you can also choose to watch or stream the game online. Here's everything you need to know..

Watch Inter Miami - Puebla

Inter Miami team news to face Puebla

Here's how Tata Martino opts to line up this evening. Julian Gressel, Luis Suarez and Robert Taylor start again as the front three for the Herons. 

Inter Miami in the house

The reigning champions arrive at Chase Stadium for tonight's game. Their squad is depleted by a series of injuries to important players but head coach Tata Martino has insisted that his team is more than capable of competing on all fronts, even with key absences. 

He explained: "We assembled a deep roster knowing all the absences we would have between Copa America, Olympics and injuries, and we are in a good position. But we will not be at full strength until the end of August. We won't see our complete roster during Leagues Cup."

Scene is set at Chase Stadium

Blue skies and perfect playing conditions in South Florida, where we're about one hour away from kick-off between Inter Miami and Puebla. The Herons are still playing in a temporary stadium out in Fort Lauderdale but the construction of their new Freedom Park stadium is continuing apace. 

Unfortunately, it's unlikely that Lionel Messi will ever play in their upcoming home.  

LEAGUES CUP 2024

Why isn’t Lionel Messi playing for Inter Miami? Leagues Cup team news

While we wait for official team news from Chase Stadium, here's how we think Inter Miami will line up this evening. Many thought that the Herons would struggle without Lionel Messi but they have thrived in his absence and will be confident of continuing their winning run this evening. 

Inter Miami predicted team

Leagues Cup fixture schedule for Day 2

After all the Friday night excitement on the opening day of Leagues Cup, there's big pressure on today's fixtures to live up to that fast start. We'll be bringing you full live coverage of Inter Miami - Puebla but it's just one of the seven games on offer. 

LEAGUES CUP 2024

Riqui Puig and Luciano Acosta speak out against Leagues Cup timing

Why is Leagues Cup played in the middle of the MLS season? That's the question that top MLS stars were asking ahead of the start of the 2024 competition. The MLS regular season is approaching the final stretch now but all the domestic action will be put on hold for the MLS-Liga MX action. 

Here's what MVP candidates Luciano Acosta and Riqui Puig had to say...

MLS stars have their say

Inter Miami out to defend Leagues Cup

Last summer's Leagues Cup triumph was the stuff of dreams for Inter Miami fans. Sparked by the midseason arrival of Lionel Messi the Herons went on an incredible run, culminating in their first-ever piece of silverware. 

Twelve months on, with a vastly changed side, Miami are looking to replicate that 2023 triumph. 

LEAGUES CUP 2024

When is Inter Miami’s next Game? Leagues Cup fixtures and schedule

This is the second year of the Leagues Cup in its new, vastly expanded 47-team format. Every top flight team in the United States and Mexico will take part in the competition, making the structure and the schedule a little difficult to understand. 

Here's everything you need to know to follow Inter Miami's group stage progress...

Inter Miami's Leagues Cup schedule

Hello and welcome to AS USA.

I'm Will Gittins and I'll be bringing you full live coverage of Inter Miami's Leagues Cup opener against Puebla FC. As reigning champions the Herons will be targeting another deep run in this year's competition but they begin their journey without the injured Lionel Messi. 

Away we go...