Lionel Messi delivered a one-man demolition job as Inter Miami stormed into the Eastern Conference Final with a ruthless 4-0 thrashing of FC Cincinnati on Sunday night.
The 38-year-old Argentine scored once and assisted the other three as Miami turned a sold-out TQL Stadium silent and booked a home date against New York City FC next Saturday.
How the Goals Came
- 19’ – Messi heads home a pinpoint Silvetti cross
- 57’ – Silvetti curls in Messi’s cut-back for 2-0
- 62’ – Messi threads Allende through for the third
- 74’ – Messi springs the trap again; Allende bags his brace
Teenager Mateo Silvetti (19) and Tadeo Allende (25) stole the headlines alongside their captain, while Luis Suárez watched from the bench.
Mascherano: “Practically Perfect”
Coach Javier Mascherano beamed after the match: “On a tough away pitch against the No. 2 seed, we played almost the perfect game. Having Leo in your team is a privilege every single week.”
Path to MLS Cup
- Eastern Final (Nov 30): Inter Miami vs New York City FC (at Miami) NYCFC upset top-seeded Philadelphia 1-0 thanks to Maxi Moralez’s strike.
- Western Final (Nov 24): San Diego vs Minnesota United Winner faces Vancouver in the MLS Cup on December 6.
One more win and Messi will have the chance to lift Inter Miami’s first-ever MLS Cup in just his second season.
