MESSI TAKES OVER CINCINNATI! In an absolute 8-goal thriller, Inter Miami rallied from behind twice to take down FC Cincinnati 5-3; Yankee Scores reports.
Lionel Messi scored a brace and notched an assist as Inter Miami CF overpowered FC Cincinnati in a 5-3 thriller on Wednesday night, marking their seventh successive win away from home.
Match report
Germán Berterame scored the winner in the 84th minute,
This is now the third instance this season where Messi has recorded at least three goal involvements in one game, putting him second in the league in terms of goals with 12.
Mateo Silvetti pulled Miami level at 3-3 in the 79th minute after being brought on as a substitute.
Kévin Denkey, Pavel Bucha, and Evander found the back of the net for FC Cincinnati.
Messi Magic
Lionel Messi put Miami in front in the 24th minute after his effort deflected off Cincinnati defender Matt Miazga into the goal, with Denkey levelling from the spot 4 minutes to half-time.
“Speaking about Leo is truly striking, first because of the person he is, and second because of the player you see on the pitch,” Inter Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos said after the game.
Bucha scored for Cincinnati to take a 2-1 lead, Messi equalized 2-2, finishing on a cutback from Luis Suárez.
The 38-year-old superstar added his 21st MLS brace and set a new record in the league as he holds the most two-goal games since making his debut in 2023. The player with the second-highest number is LAFC attacker Denis Bouanga at 17.
Another iconic night for the captain. @leomessi 🎩🏆 #IconOfTheMatch @RoyalCaribbean pic.twitter.com/fSL0iBLqJC
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) May 14, 2026
A See-Saw Battle in Ohio
Evander reestablished Cincinnati’s lead at 3-2 in the 64th minute by scoring with a right-footed shot from outside the penalty box. However, Miami did not give up and scored three goals in a row to overturn the deficit.
After Silvetti had put Miami ahead, the team scored their third from a set piece as Andrei Chirila fouled the Miami goalkeeper Roman Celentano and allowed Berterame to score an easy goal from an empty net.
Messi looked set to complete his hat trick in the 89th minute after his shot struck the woodwork before being turned into his own net by Celentano to prevent a 61st career hat trick across all tournaments.
“Him [Messi] Rodrigo [De Paul] and [Luis] Suárez are players who truly elevate the MLS. What they accomplished today was brilliant, simply brilliant. To perform that way on a difficult pitch, against a very tough opponent, speaks volumes,” Hoyos added.
