Lionel Messi produced yet another dazzling postseason performance on Sunday night, scoring once and providing three assists as Inter Miami thrashed FC Cincinnati 4–0 in the MLS Eastern Conference semi-final.
The Argentine superstar was at the heart of everything Miami did in attack, dictating the tempo, creating chances and ruthlessly punishing defensive lapses. His latest display of brilliance means he has now been directly involved in every single goal Miami have scored in this year’s playoffs.
The victory, Miami’s second successive 4–0 win in the postseason, sends the No 3 seed into their first-ever Eastern Conference final — the deepest playoff run in the club’s history. They will face the winner of the other semi-final between Philadelphia Union and New York City FC, with confidence soaring and momentum firmly on their side.
Bold Mascherano Call: Suárez Benched, Silvetti Shines
One of the biggest talking points before kick-off was Javier Mascherano’s bold selection decision. The Inter Miami manager opted to keep veteran striker Luis Suárez on the bench, despite the Uruguayan having completed his suspension after receiving a red card in the decisive round one clash with Nashville SC.
Suárez, Messi’s former Barcelona teammate and one of the most prolific forwards of his generation, had enjoyed a strong regular season with 10 goals and 10 assists. Yet Mascherano chose to reward the energy and fluidity of a youthful front line, handing 19-year-old Mateo Silvetti another start alongside Messi and Tadeo Allende.
The gamble paid off spectacularly. Silvetti was electric throughout, scoring once and assisting another, while Allende’s intelligent movement and composure in front of goal yielded a second-half brace. The trio, with Messi as conductor, once again showcased a dynamic, fast-paced attacking style that has overwhelmed opponents over the last 180 minutes of playoff football.
Messi Strikes Early as Miami Seize Control
In the opening stages, the semi-final was finely balanced. Cincinnati, playing at home and backed by a vocal crowd, tried to impose themselves physically and push numbers forward. Miami, however, remained patient, absorbing pressure and waiting for the right moment to strike.
That moment arrived in the 19th minute. Full-back Jordi Alba, pushing high from his left-back role, anticipated a loose pass from Cincinnati and stepped in to win possession. His interception triggered a swift transition, with Miami flooding forward and stretching the hosts’ back line.
The ball was eventually worked out to Silvetti on the left flank. Spotting Messi’s late run into the box, the teenager whipped in a teasing outswinging cross. Messi timed his movement to perfection, meeting the ball in stride and steering a powerful header beyond goalkeeper Roman Celentano. The finish, a classic combination of precision and authority, handed Miami a 1–0 lead and immediately shifted the momentum of the tie.
Youthful Frontline Tears Cincy Apart After the Break
While Cincinnati tried to regroup at half-time, Miami returned from the interval sharper, quicker and even more ruthless in the final third. The second goal, coming in the 57th minute, encapsulated the confidence flowing through Mascherano’s side.
From a throw-in on the right, Allende showed superb strength and awareness. He controlled the ball under pressure, turned his marker with a sharp swivel and quickly spotted Messi hovering in space near the edge of the penalty area. Allende’s pass found the Argentine, who needed just one touch to keep the move alive, sliding the ball across the box into the path of Silvetti.
The 19-year-old did the rest with the composure of a seasoned veteran, bending a delightful curling shot past Celentano and into the far corner. It was a goal built on movement, understanding and technical quality — and another example of how seamlessly Messi now links with his younger attacking partners.
Miami refused to ease up. Allende struck again in the 62nd minute, this time on a rapid counter-attack. Messi nicked the ball off Evander in midfield, drove at a backpedalling Cincinnati defence and threaded a perfectly weighted through ball into Allende’s stride. The forward made no mistake, slotting home to make it 3–0 and effectively end the contest.
Allende completed his brace in the 74th minute after another devastating transition. Once more, Messi unlocked the defence with a piercing pass that dissected the back line. Allende latched onto it and calmly finished, sealing a 4–0 rout and sending Miami into cruise control for the final stages.
Record-Breaking Messi and Miami March Toward History
This postseason run is rapidly becoming a statement of intent from Inter Miami. After dismantling Nashville SC 4–0 in the decisive match of the previous round, their repeat scoreline against Cincinnati underscores a team hitting peak form at precisely the right time.
For Messi, the numbers are as staggering as the performances. He now has six goals and six assists in the playoffs, having contributed to every single Miami goal so far. This follows a regular season in which he scored 29 goals and provided 19 assists, form widely expected to deliver him a second consecutive MLS MVP award.
Cincinnati, meanwhile, suffered a familiar heartbreak. For the third straight postseason, they were knocked out at home, again falling just one match short of reaching a second Eastern Conference final. Despite flashes of promise in the early exchanges, they struggled to cope with Miami’s speed in transition and Messi’s ability to exploit every small mistake.
As Miami await the winner between Philadelphia Union and New York City FC in the Eastern Conference final, one thing is clear: with Messi orchestrating and a fearless young supporting cast in Silvetti and Allende, Mascherano’s side have not only rewritten club history — they have also emerged as the team no one wants to face with a place in the MLS Cup final on the line.
