Lionel Messi converts PK, assists on 2 goals, leading Miami past MLS-best Cincinnati

Associated Press
Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023 10:29 p.m. | Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023 10:29 p.m.

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Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi celebrates after a game-tying goal in the 90th minute from teammate Leonardo Campana, not pictured, during the second half of a U.S. Open Cup semifinal soccer match against FC Cincinnati.

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Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi, right, controls the ball next to FC Cincinnati defender Matt Miazga during the first half of a U.S. Open Cup soccer semifinal Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, in Cincinnati.

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Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi walks off the pitch at the end of the first half of the team’s U.S. Open Cup soccer semifinal against FC Cincinnati, Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, in Cincinnati.

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FC Cincinnati midfielder Luciano Acosta controls the ball during the first half of the team’s U.S. Open Cup soccer semifinal against Inter Miami, Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, in Cincinnati.

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FC Cincinnati defender Nick Hagglund, top, goes up for the ball aover Inter Miami forward Leonardo Campana during the first half of a U.S. Open Cup soccer semifinal Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, in Cincinnati.

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FC Cincinnati midfielder Luciano Acosta, right, celebrates his goal against Inter Miami with Aaron Boupendza, center, and Santiago Arias, left, during the first half of a U.S. Open Cup soccer semifinal Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, in Cincinnati.

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A fan cheers as Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi warms up for the team’s U.S. Open Cup soccer semifinal against FC Cincinnati, Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, in Cincinnati.

CINCINNATI — Lionel Messi had two assists and converted a penalty kick as Inter Miami rallied from a two-goal deficit and beat MLS-leading Cincinnati 5-4 in penalties in a U.S. Open Cup semifinal on Wednesday night.

Cincinnati jumped to a 2-0 lead before Messi set up a pair of goals by Leonardo Campana, tying the game at 2. Miami moved ahead when Josef Martínez scored three minutes into the first extra period, but Cincinnati tied the game at 3 when Yuya Kubo scored in the 114th minute, forcing penalty kicks.

INTER MIAMI SURVIVES IN PK TO REACH THE U.S. OPEN FINAL ????

(via @CBSSports)pic.twitter.com/IIGtoQgVJc

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 24, 2023

Messi made Miami’s first attempt in the shootout, and both teams were perfect through four rounds. Herons goalkeeper Drake Callender saved Nick Hagglund’s kick in the fifth round, and Benjamin Cremaschi made his PK to send Miami to another tournament final.

Lionel Messi has now scored or assisted on 13 goals for Inter Miami this season in all competitions, the 2nd most on the team, trailing Robert Taylor (14).

Taylor has played 31 matches compared to 8 from Messi. pic.twitter.com/aa9yVpxauW

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 24, 2023

Miami advanced to face the winner of Wednesday’s late semifinal between Houston and Salt Lake in the final in Sept. 27.

Messi was held scoreless for the first time since joining Inter Miami in late July. His first assist of the game was on a free kick in the 68th minute to cut Miami’s deficit to 2-1. He delivered a long cross into the box to set up Campana’s second goal on a header that sent the game to overtime.

MESSI WITH THE UNREAL ASSIST TO SEND IT TO EXTRA TIME ????

(via @CBSSportsGolazo)pic.twitter.com/YqXETJemJi

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) August 24, 2023

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner who led Argentina to the World Cup crown last year, had scored 10 goals in his first seven games with Miami, leading the team to the Leagues Cup title. He is set to make his Major League Soccer debut Saturday at the New York Red Bulls.

Luciano Acosta and Brandon Vazquez scored the first two goals for Cincinnati.

Cincinnati took a 1-0 lead early in the first half on a nifty flick from Acosta, its Argentine No. 10 and captain, who scored his 14th goal across all competition this season off a header from Aaron Boupendza.

Vazquez, a U.S. national team forward, doubled Cincinnati’s lead in the 53rd minute on a laser from outside the box, off a low cross from former Atletico Madrid and Colombia international defender Santiago Arias.