Lionel Messi - Photo courtesy of @InterMiamiCF via Twitter
Lionel Messi delivered two assists and a penalty kick as Inter Miami CF comeback from being two goals down to beat the top MLS team, FC Cincinnati, in a U.S. Open Cup semifinal on Wednesday night.
Cincinnati’s Strong Start: 2-0 Lead
Cincinnati started strong, taking a 2-0 lead. Then, Messi helped set up two goals by Leonardo Campana, tying the game at 2-2. Inter Miami moved ahead when Josef Martínez scored three minutes into extra time, but Cincinnati tied it again at 3-3 when Yuya Kubo scored in the 114th minute, leading to a penalty shootout.
Penalty Shootout Drama: Inter Miami’s Victory
Messi took the first penalty for Inter Miami, and both teams scored perfectly for four rounds. In the fifth round, Miami’s goalkeeper Drake Callender saved Nick Hagglund‘s kick, and Benjamin Cremaschi made his penalty to send Inter Miami to the tournament final.
Inter Miami will play Houston Dynamo FC in the final on September 27.
No Goals for Messi, but a Key Role in the Comeback for Inter Miami
Although Messi didn’t score in this game, he played a crucial role in the comeback for Inter Miami. His first assist came on a free kick in the 68th minute, reducing Miami’s deficit to 2-1. He then made a long pass into the box to set up Campana’s second goal, which tied the game and forced overtime.
Luciano Acosta and Brandon Vazquez scored Cincinnati’s first two goals. Acosta’s clever flick early in the game gave Cincinnati a 1-0 lead, and Vazquez extended their advantage with a spectacular long-range shot in the 53rd minute, assisted by Santiago Arias.
Messi’s Season Highlights
Messi, a seven-time Ballon d’Or winner who led Argentina to World Cup victory last year, had scored 10 goals in his first seven games with Inter Miami, helping the team win the Leagues Cup. He is set to make his Major League Soccer debut against the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, August 26.
