Lionel Messi turned on the style again on Sunday night, leading Inter Miami to a commanding 4–0 win over FC Cincinnati and pushing the Florida side one step closer to their first MLS Cup final appearance.
The Argentine star scored the opener and created all three remaining goals, guiding Miami into next Saturday’s Eastern Conference championship match. Tadeo Allende grabbed a brace, while young Mateo Silvetti added one, as Miami delivered a confident and polished performance in front of a full house at Cincinnati’s TQL Stadium.
New York City FC now stand between Inter Miami and a place in the MLS Cup final. The 2021 champions secured their own ticket with a slim 1–0 victory over top-seeded Philadelphia, thanks to a 27th-minute strike from Maxi Moralez.
Miami, seeded third, arrived in Cincinnati with purpose and wasted no time taking control. The hosts had started brightly, forcing a sharp save from Rocco Rios Novo after Kevin Denkey broke free early on. Cincinnati’s early pressure fizzled out quickly, and Miami punished them almost immediately.
A precise pass from Messi sliced through the left side of the pitch, finding teenager Silvetti, who repaid the favour moments later with a perfect cross. Messi met it with a calm header to put Miami ahead.
Cincinnati’s best chance to respond came five minutes later when Ender Echenique raced into space but dragged his shot wide. After that miss, Miami ran the show. Messi came close again in the 27th minute before the visitors tightened their grip on the game after the break.
The second goal arrived in the 57th minute. Messi picked out Silvetti at the top of the box, and the young Argentine curled in a composed finish. From that moment, the match tilted entirely in Miami’s favour.
With Cincinnati chasing shadows, Messi continued to find pockets of space, threading a clever ball to Allende in the 62nd minute for the third. He then broke the lines again on 74 minutes, setting up Allende for his second of the night and sealing the rout.
Coach Javier Mascherano praised his squad after the game, describing the overall display as close to flawless. “I’m proud of how the team played on a very difficult pitch against a very difficult opponent,” he said. “The players showed incredible character and played a practically perfect match. It’s an honor and a privilege not only to manage Leo but this group of players. We know what Leo is capable of; he proves it every weekend.”
The win sends Miami confidently into next weekend’s showdown with New York City FC, where a place in the MLS Cup championship game awaits. The Eastern and Western Conference winners will meet on December 6 to decide the 2025 title.
In the Western Conference, Vancouver have already secured their place in the final and will face the winner of the San Diego–Minnesota United clash scheduled for Monday.
