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July 25, 2024
In a historic win, Mexico’s Liga MX defeated MLS 4-1 in the 2024 All-Star Game held in Columbus, Ohio, marking their first-ever victory in this showcase event. Liga MX’s attack was led by four standout performers—German Berterame (Monterrey), Oussama Idrissi (Pachuca), Juan Brunetta (Tigres UANL), and Maxi Meza (Monterrey)—with each contributing a goal in each half to secure the triumph.
Despite missing superstar Lionel Messi due to injury, the MLS All-Stars began both halves with promising starts. Still, they were ultimately overpowered by Liga MX’s sharp and decisive attacking play. This victory comes after Liga MX’s previous setbacks, losing in a penalty shootout in 2021 and suffering a 2-1 defeat in 2022.
The same teams will clash again at the beginning of the 2024 League Cup, a month-long tournament featuring all MLS and Liga MX clubs. Messi’s Inter Miami, the reigning League Cup champions, will also compete in this highly anticipated competition.
| 1st Half | 2nd Half | Final | |
| MLS | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Liga MX | 0 | 2 | 4 |
Goals:
LMX – German Berterame (Jonathan Dos Santos) – 16’
MLS – Cucho Hernandez (Diego Rossi) – 17’
LMX – Oussama Idrissi – 41’
LMX – Juan Brunetta (Gustavo Ferrareis) – 68’
LMX – Maxi Meza (Juan Brunetta) – 69’
Lineups:
1st Half Lineup (4-2-3-1):
2nd Half Lineup (5-2-3):
26. Hugo Lloris (GK) (30. Maarten Paes, 66’)
23. Luca Orellano
64. Moise Bombito
4. Rudy Camacho
31. Steven Moreira
8. Federico Bernardeschi
29. Mathieu Choiniere (6. Darlington Nagbe, 66’)
7. Riqui Puig
27. Hany Mukhtar
20. Christian Benteke (14. Petar Musa, 66’)
99. Denis Bouanga (12. Gabriel Pec, 66’)
Liga MX Lineups
1st Half Lineup (4-2-3-1):
2nd Half Lineup (4-2-3-1):
24. Kevin Mier (GK) (12. Fernando Tapia, 65’)
27. Jesus Angulo
4. Unai Bilbao
19. Guido Pizarro
3. Brian Garcia (29. Gustavo Ferrareis, 65’)
8. Alvaro Fidalgo (5. Nelson Deossa, 65’)
14. Rodrigo Dourado (18. Andres Guardado, 65’)
26. Alan Bautista (28. Cesar Huerta, 67’)
11. Juan Brunetta
21. Maxi Meza
23. Salomon Rondon (9. Guillermo Martinez, 65’)
In the 2024 All-Star Game, the MLS All-Stars outperformed their Liga MX counterparts in expected goals (3.55 xG vs. 2.94 xG), yet they could only manage one goal. The most promising MLS attacks in the first half came from Diego Rossi, who frequently connected with his Columbus Crew teammate Cucho Hernandez. The pair nearly scored in the 10th minute. Finally, they succeeded with a well-executed cross-and-finish in the 17th minute to level the game at 1-1.
A potential turning point came in the 27th minute when the MLS All-Stars were awarded a penalty. However, after a VAR review, the decision was overturned. The penalty was rescinded because the ball had deflected off Liga MX defender Gonzalo Piovi’s arm from close range, rendering the handball call invalid.
Despite continued pressure from Hernandez and Rossi, Liga MX took the lead just before halftime and maintained it throughout the second half. MLS’s efforts were thwarted by the woodwork twice: Hany Mukhtar’s header struck the crossbar, and Riqui Puig’s shot from outside the box hit the right post. Liga MX’s extended lead to 4-1 effectively ended MLS’s chances, leaving them unable to recover.
“I don’t like to lose, honestly, especially 4-1,” Toronto FC’s Federico Bernardeschi told Apple TV postgame. “I’m a little bit upset, but the experience was amazing.”
| MLS | 2024 All-Star Game Statistics | Liga MX |
| 3.55 | Expected Goals (xG) | 2.94 |
| 23 | Shots | 17 |
| 8 | Shots on Target | 6 |
| 556 | Total Passes | 482 |
| 93.2 | Passing % | 91.1 |
| 7 | Corners | 5 |
| 2 | GK saves | 6 |
Argentine midfielder Juan Brunetta was named MVP of the 2024 All-Star Game for his standout performance. He netted a vital goal and offered assistance in the second half. Brunetta, recently recognized as the top attacking midfielder in Liga MX for the 2023-24 season, netted a goal in the 68th minute to extend Liga MX’s lead to 3-1. He set up another goal just a minute later with a brilliant assist to fellow Argentine Maxi Meza, who made a clever diagonal run into the MLS box.
This match showcased Brunetta’s more attacking prowess than he has demonstrated so far this season, having yet to score or assist in the Liga MX Apertura. Looking ahead, Brunetta will aim to continue his impressive form in the League Cup, where his Tigres UANL team will face reigning champions Inter Miami and Mexican side Puebla in the group stage. Only the top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout rounds.
As the League Cup 2024 approaches, Liga MX aims to build on its recent success, including victories in the All-Star Game and the All-Star Skills Challenge. After a disappointing performance in 2023, when only two Mexican clubs, Queretaro and Monterrey, made it to the quarterfinals, Liga MX is hopeful for a stronger showing this year.
Several U.S.-based sportsbooks have listed Mexican teams like Club America, Cruz Azul, and Tigres UANL, with Juan Brunetta among the top contenders for the 2024 title. The tournament kicks off on Friday, July 26, and concludes with the final on Sunday, August 25. Beyond the championship, the top three teams will secure spots in next year’s CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Leagues Cup 2024 Schedule
| Group Stage | July 26-Aug. 6 |
| Round of 32 | Aug. 7-9 |
| Round of 16 | August 12-13 |
| Quarterfinals | Aug 16/–17 |
| Semifinals | Aug. 20-21 |
| Final / 3rd Place | August 25 |
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Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and football sportsbook app reviews. As an author for Football News Today, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for football, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.
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