Lionel Messi in Inter-Miami
As Inter Miami took on Cincinnati in the US Open Cup semifinal on Wednesday, Lionel Messi—unquestionably one of the best strikers the game of football has ever seen—became a creator. With less than a minute remaining before the end of regulation and his team behind 1-2, Messi provided an exquisite assist to help his team tie the score at 2-2. Inter Miami overcame Cincinnati on penalties to advance to the tournament’s final, and the Argentine maestro continued his magnificent efforts on the pitch.
Last minute assist by Lionel Messi helps Inter-Miami steal the game
With 22 minutes left in the game, Inter was behind 2-0 when the Argentine gave Leonardo Campana two flawless assists that forced overtime.
Luciano Acosta, a fellow countryman of Messi, gave Cincinnati the lead in the 18th minute, and American striker Brandon Vazquez doubled Cincinnati’s advantage in the 53rd minute with a powerful shot from the edge of the box.
However, Messi’s left-footed free-kick from the 68th minute, which Campana headed in, gave Gerardo Martino’s team some life after they had put up a sluggish performance.
Cincinnati believed they had made it 3-1 when Yuga Kubo’s attempt was disallowed for handball. Miami custodian Drake Callender then made a superb stop on the Japanese forward, who was also denied by Santiago Arias.
Campana again received a pass from Messi at the back post in the seventh minute of stoppage time, and the Ecuadorian forward directed his header home to force overtime.
Here is a clip of Messi’s helper:
قوووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووول اسيسسسسسسسسسسسسسسسسسسست عظيييييييييييييييييم pic.twitter.com/kLChJ7SnjE
— Messi World (@M10GOAT) August 24, 2023
Messi 🤩 Cam@intermiamicf | @opencup pic.twitter.com/kOayBfDZrH
— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) August 24, 2023
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The clubs were tied 4-4 when the game entered the penalty shootout when Cincinnati’s Nick Hagglund’s penalty was saved by Inter Miami’s goalkeeper. Inter Miami scored the fifth penalty kick to secure a position in the championship game, so there was no last-second drama.
