Lionel Messi etched another chapter in his legendary career by captaining Inter Miami CF to a resounding 4-0 victory over FC Cincinnati in the Eastern Conference Semifinal at TQL Stadium.
This triumph propelled the Herons to their first-ever appearance in the MLS Eastern Conference Final, marking a pivotal milestone for the club since its inception in 2020.
Messi’s masterclass performance—featuring one goal and three assists—underscored his unparalleled influence, as Miami dismantled a strong Cincinnati side that had finished the regular season tied on points with the visitors but faltered under the weight of the Argentine’s brilliance.
Inter Miami’s postseason campaign has been a testament to strategic depth and Messi’s clutch artistry, transforming early stumbles into a dominant surge. Seeded third in the Eastern Conference after a solid regular season (exact standings reflected their Supporters’ Shield contention), Miami entered the playoffs with momentum from Messi’s Golden Boot-winning form.
Miami faced a gritty Nashville in a three-game series, overcoming a 1-0 opening loss with back-to-back shutouts. The decisive Game 3 on November 8 at Chase Stadium saw Messi unleash a first-half brace, including a clinical finish in the 10th minute, en route to a 4-0 rout.
Over the series, Messi tallied five goals, setting a personal playoff benchmark and highlighting his 12 career goals against Nashville—the most against any MLS opponent since joining in 2023. Goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo anchored a historic clean sheet, Miami’s first of the 2025 playoffs.
Facing a familiar foe (the teams had split their regular-season meetings, including a 3-0 Cincinnati win earlier in 2025), Miami delivered a statement on the road. The game unfolded as a symphony of precision attacks:
18th Minute: Messi’s Header (1-0) – A swift counter sparked by Jordi Alba’s interception led to a pinpoint cross from Mateo Silvetti. Messi rose unmarked to nod home, extending his playoff scoring streak to nine goals in seven matches.
Second Half Surge: Messi orchestrated the rout with laser-guided assists. First, a weighted through-ball to Silvetti for a one-touch finish (2-0). Then, a clever setup for Tadeo Allende’s tap-in (3-0), followed by another assist to seal the 4-0 scoreline.
Cincinnati, despite threats like Ender Echenique’s near-miss in the 22nd minute, couldn’t breach Miami’s defense. This marked Miami’s 10th game with three or more goals in their last 12 outings, showcasing the evolution under head coach Javier Mascherano.
Messi’s semifinal haul pushed his 2025 playoff totals to a league-record 12 goal contributions (six goals, six assists), surpassing all contemporaries and fueling narratives of an MLS Cup destiny.
At 38, Messi remains the MLS’s transcendent force, blending vision, finishing, and leadership to elevate a franchise once mocked as a “retirement home.”
Miami awaits the winner of the Philadelphia Union (Supporters’ Shield holders) vs. New York City FC semifinal, scheduled for November 29.