For the first time since his arrival to Miami Lionel Messi failed to score in a game when the Herons defeated FC Cincinnati 5-4 on penalties (3-3 after extra time) in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals at TQL Stadium on Wednesday.
Messi made up for it with two assists including a perfect ball to Leonardo Campana in the 97th minute to send the game to extra time.
Messi assist vs Cincinnati
LEO MESSI AND LEONARDO CAMPANA COME THROUGH AGAIN FOR INTER MIAMI.
ALL LEVEL IN CINCY IN STOPPAGE TIME. pic.twitter.com/TUcBPR3x3b— WATCH MESSI FOR FREE (more in bio) (@CBSSportsGolazo) August 24, 2023
Lionel Messi refuses to lose in an Inter Miami kit pic.twitter.com/hyydRAwM1R
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) August 24, 2023
While the media — The18 included — love to always harp on Messi, plenty of credit needs to go to FC Cincinnati. The hosts went up 2-0 courtesy of goals from Luciano Acosta in the 18th minute and USMNT striker Brandon Vazquez in the 53rd.
AN ARGENTINE FORWARD... Lucho Acosta is the first No. 10 to score. pic.twitter.com/mC9J6rxKze
— WATCH MESSI FOR FREE (more in bio) (@CBSSportsGolazo) August 23, 2023
Brandon Vazquez with a beautiful finish.
The @usmnt forward sends Cincy into a frenzy! pic.twitter.com/xsMqkx9zgb— WATCH MESSI FOR FREE (more in bio) (@CBSSportsGolazo) August 24, 2023
They had Miami on the ropes.
Messi assisted Campana for the Herons’ first goal in the 68th minute to cut the lead in half.
Lionel Messi finds Leonardo Campana!
WE HAVE A GAME ON OUR HANDS! pic.twitter.com/n7YdfD5SAv— WATCH MESSI FOR FREE (more in bio) (@CBSSportsGolazo) August 24, 2023
Campana’s goal in the 97th minute forced the game into an extra 30 minutes and then it was Josef Martínez off the bench to give Miami their first lead three minutes into extra time.
JOSEF MARTÍNEZ STRIKES FIRST IN EXTRA-TIME TO SILENCE CINCY.
Inter Miami take their first lead of the match. pic.twitter.com/rk4tuyi7uK— WATCH MESSI FOR FREE (more in bio) (@CBSSportsGolazo) August 24, 2023
Yuya Kubo scored with a sizzling strike in the 114th minute to level things at 3-3 and send it to penalty kicks.
NOT. SO. FAST. YUYA KUBO LEVELS IT FOR FC CINCINNATI IN EXTRA-TIME. pic.twitter.com/ytU0JsQ4KJ
— WATCH MESSI FOR FREE (more in bio) (@CBSSportsGolazo) August 24, 2023
The shootout went similarly to the Leagues Cup final with Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender playing the role as hero.
LIONEL MESSI CONVERTS HIS PENALTY. ✅ pic.twitter.com/dFO2zjljHB
— WATCH MESSI FOR FREE (more in bio) (@CBSSportsGolazo) August 24, 2023
THE SCENES!
DRAKE CALLENDER SAVES, THE LOCAL KID BENJAMIN CREMASCHI WINS IT! pic.twitter.com/HqHOAYoEcY— WATCH MESSI FOR FREE (more in bio) (@CBSSportsGolazo) August 24, 2023
This is the eighth straight game that Miami have won.
Miami advance to the U.S. Open Cup final for a chance to win their second ever trophy. Awaiting them in the final will be either Real Salt Lake or Houston Dynamo.
If RSL win then the final will be played in Utah. If the Dynamo win then the U.S. Open Cup final will come to Miami and it could possibly be played in Hard Rock Stadium, the home of the Dolphins.
Here is the hosting priority for the 2023 US Open Cup Final ahead of the semi-finals tonight
1. Real Salt Lake
2. Inter Miami
3. FC Cincinnati
4. Houston DynamoIf both Miami and Houston advance, Inter Miami is looking to host the final at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. pic.twitter.com/7cYWZSI6dD
— MLS Buzz (@MLS_Buzz) August 23, 2023
The final is on Wednesday, Sept. 27.
