Lionel Messi produced two fantastic assists and decisive penalty when Inter Miami needed him most to send his side to the US Open Cup final.
The World Cup winner has yet to lose a game since his venture to the United States as part of the Jorge Mas and David Beckham co-owned team.
The Miami side had been on an incredible run since the Argentinian joined them in July on a two-and-a-half-year contract.
Seven-straight wins, including the first trophy in their team’s history in the Leagues Cup, signalled a fantastic start for life with Messi in their ranks.However, it looked as though they were heading to defeat against FC Cincinnati in the US Open Cup semi final.Messi’s side had struggled for much of the game, and found themselves two goals down.
Cincinnati went ahead in the first half through Luciano Acosta and looked fairly dominant throughout.They doubled their lead in the 53rd minute through Brandon Vazquez, and Miami looked like they were heading out of the cup.
But Messi had other ideas.The Argentinian stepped up in the 68th minute to whip in a wonderful free kick that found the head of Leonardo Campana and into the back of the net.We were in the depths of injury time as it looked and Messi’s first loss looked more than likely, however, as he had done time and time before, the number 10 pulled out a moment of brilliance.
Collecting the ball about 35 yards from goal the former Barcelona player whipped in an incredible ball over the top and again onto the head of Campana to equalise for Miami.The equaliser came in the 97th minute sending the semi-final into extra time.Even with tired legs throughout their squad, momentum was with the Miami side as became more than clear early into the added 30.
Josef Martinez was played through on goal in the 93rd minute and slotted the ball into the net to give Inter Miami the 3-2 lead.
It signalled a complete turnaround for the side who seemed intent on continuing their fantastic run.
However, a Yuya Kabo goal for Cincinnati in the 114th minute meant the game was heading to penalties.It was Miami's second penalty shootout in as many games.
Lionel Messi would convert his penalty as Miami secured a perfect five penalties to give them the win.Nick Hagglund would have his penalty saved by Drake Callender with Benjamin Cremaschi scoring the deciding spot kick.
Messi's heroics throughout the game would open up the door for a brilliant comeback in the semi-final.Messi and Inter Miami are now into their second cup final since his signing in July.
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