Overview
- Inter Miami, which visited TQL Stadium on Wednesday, overturned a 3-2 deficit to win 5-3 and climb to second in the East with 25 points.
- The scoring swung back and forth as Messi struck in the 24th minute, Kevin Denkey converted a 41st-minute penalty, Pavel Bucha scored in the 49th, Messi leveled in the 55th, Evander put Cincinnati ahead in the 64th, Mateo Silvetti tied it in the 79th and Germán Berterame made it 4-3 in the 84th before a late own goal completed the rout.
- MLS credited the 89th-minute finish as an own goal off goalkeeper Román Celentano after Messi’s shot hit the post, so his official line is two goals and one assist despite some outlets reporting a hat-trick.
- Cincinnati errors swung key moments as a Matt Miazga pass deflected off Messi for the opener and a collision between Andrei Chirila and Celentano spilled the ball for Berterame’s go-ahead strike.
- The win extended Miami’s road streak to seven and handed Cincinnati its first loss since April 4 in front of a sellout crowd of about 25,500.