Cincinnati, May 14: Inter Miami CF secured a thrilling 5-3 victory against FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium, thanks to two goals from captain Lionel Messi, along with contributions from Mateo Silveti and German Berterame. This win earned Miami three valuable points.
With this victory, Inter Miami matched FC Cincinnati’s record of 22 points from the first nine matches of the MLS regular season, set in 2024. Miami took the lead in the 24th minute when Messi capitalized on a defensive error to score from inside the box, marking his tenth goal of the season.
Kevin Denke equalized for the home team just before halftime, converting a penalty in the 44th minute to make it 1-1. The second half began with Pavel Bucha giving Cincinnati a lead in the 49th minute. However, Messi leveled the score again in the 55th minute, finishing off a pass from De Paul. This was Messi’s 11th goal of the season and De Paul’s sixth assist in the league.
Evander restored Cincinnati’s lead with a goal in the 64th minute. Yet, Miami’s attacking unit turned the match around in the remaining minutes. Substitute Mateo Silveti equalized again in the 79th minute, bringing his season tally to three goals, while Messi recorded his fifth assist.
In the 84th minute, Berterame extended Inter Miami’s lead to 4-3, taking advantage of a loose ball after a free kick for his fourth goal of the season. In a dramatic finish, Cincinnati’s goalkeeper Roman Celentano inadvertently scored an own goal in the 89th minute, sealing Inter Miami’s 5-3 victory.
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