Sports Desk | CricBengal.com
Lionel Messi delivered a decisive performance as Inter Miami secured a thrilling 5–3 victory over FC Cincinnati in Major League Soccer on Wednesday, October 28. Messi scored twice and provided an assist, helping Miami recover after Cincinnati had taken a 3–2 lead.
The match produced an eventful second half, with both teams finding the net before Miami scored three times in the closing stages. Messi’s contribution proved crucial as the visitors turned a difficult position into an impressive comeback victory.
Messi Opens the Scoring
Messi gave Inter Miami the lead in the 24th minute, putting his team ahead during an entertaining opening period. Cincinnati responded before half-time when Ahoueke Denkey converted a penalty in the 41st minute to make it 1–1.
The home side came out strongly after the break. Pavel Bucha scored in the 49th minute to put Cincinnati ahead for the first time, giving the hosts a 2–1 advantage.
Miami responded quickly. In the 55th minute, Messi scored his second goal of the night after receiving a pass from Rodrigo De Paul. The finish brought the score to 2–2 and kept Miami firmly in the contest.
However, Cincinnati continued to threaten. Evander scored in the 64th minute to restore the home side’s lead at 3–2. Miami now needed another response to avoid dropping points in a high-scoring encounter.
Miami Turns the Match Around
The decisive phase began in the 79th minute. Messi created the opportunity for Mateo Silvetti, who scored to level the match at 3–3. The assist highlighted Messi’s ability to influence a game not only through his own finishing but also through his vision and passing.
Inter Miami then moved in front in the 84th minute when Germán Berterame found the net to make it 4–3. Cincinnati’s position deteriorated further in the 89th minute, when goalkeeper Roman Celentano scored an own goal, extending Miami’s advantage to 5–3.
The late goals completed a remarkable turnaround. Cincinnati had led 3–2 after Evander’s strike, but Miami found the finishing quality needed to take control during the closing stages.
Messi’s Influence on the Result
Messi scored twice and assisted Silvetti’s equaliser, contributing directly to three of Miami’s five goals. His first goal put the visitors in front, while his second prevented Cincinnati from maintaining its advantage after Bucha’s strike.
The assist was equally important. With Miami trailing 3–2, Messi created the opening that allowed Silvetti to bring the teams level. That goal changed the momentum and gave Miami the opportunity to push for a late winner.
His performance once again demonstrated his value as both a goalscorer and a creator. While the team’s late attacking surge involved several players, Messi was central to the comeback.
What the Victory Means for Inter Miami
The result offers Miami a positive response after their recent 2–0 defeat against the New York Red Bulls. Winning after falling behind also shows the team’s attacking resilience, particularly in the final stages of a competitive match.
There are still defensive issues to consider. Conceding three goals means Miami will need greater consistency at the back, especially as the MLS season approaches its decisive stage. A strong attack can change a match, but defensive organisation remains important against high-quality opponents.
For Cincinnati, the defeat will be frustrating. The team scored three times and held a second-half lead, yet could not prevent Miami from taking all three points. The late collapse will be an important area to address in the team’s upcoming fixtures.
CricBengal Analysis
Messi’s two goals and assist made him one of the central figures in Miami’s victory. His ability to score at key moments and create opportunities for teammates helped the visitors recover from a 3–2 deficit.
The wider lesson, however, concerns Miami’s balance. The team showed considerable attacking quality but also allowed Cincinnati to score three goals. Maintaining defensive discipline while preserving the creativity of Messi and his attacking teammates will be important in the matches ahead.
For supporters, the comeback was an exciting result. For Miami, the challenge is to turn this attacking performance into a more complete team display in which the defence offers the same reliability as the forward line.
Match Summary
- Fixture: FC Cincinnati vs Inter Miami
- Competition: Major League Soccer
- Final score: FC Cincinnati 3–5 Inter Miami
- Lionel Messi: Two goals and one assist
- Key moment: Mateo Silvetti’s 79th-minute equaliser, assisted by Messi
Sources: Yahoo Sports match scorecard | Inter Miami CF official match report
