Messi Masterclass Fires Inter Miami Into Eastern Conference Final
Lionel Messi delivered another dazzling big-game performance as Inter Miami stormed into the Eastern Conference championship with a dominant 4-0 victory over FC Cincinnati in the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs on Sunday.
Playing at a packed TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Miami produced a ruthless display of attacking football, with Messi at the heart of everything. The Argentine legend not only scored the opener but also created the other three goals, orchestrating a clinical dismantling of the Eastern Conferenceâs second seeds.
Miami, seeded third, are now just one win away from reaching their first MLS Cup final, and will face either Philadelphia or New York City FC in next Saturdayâs Eastern Conference decider.
Messi Leads the Way
The match began with Cincinnati on the front foot, urged on by more than 26,000 home fans hoping to witness an upset over Miamiâs star-studded side. The hosts carved out early chances, with Kevin Denkey forcing Miami goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo into a strong save after 15 minutes.
But that missed chance proved costly. Moments later, Messi punished Cincinnati with his trademark vision and movement. Spotting a gap down the left flank, he released Mateo Silvetti, the young Argentine forward who was preferred in the starting XI ahead of veteran Luis SuĂĄrez.
Silvetti drove forward and delivered a perfectly measured cross into the box, where Messi continued his run and guided a composed header into the net to make it 1-0 to Inter Miami.
Cincinnati nearly responded quickly in the 22nd minute when Ender Echenique broke into space, but he dragged his effort wide of the far post, letting Miami off the hook. From that moment onwards, the momentum swung heavily towards the visitors.
Messi could have doubled Miamiâs lead in the 27th minute after drifting into space once again, but his shot flashed just wide. Still, it felt like a matter of time before Miamiâs pressure told.
Silvetti and Allende Finish the Job
Miamiâs second goal arrived in the 57th minute and again involved Messi and Silvetti combining brilliantly. Messi found Silvetti near the edge of the penalty area, and the teenage forward showed composure beyond his years, curling a superb finish into the corner to give Miami a 2-0 cushion.
With Cincinnati forced to chase the game, more gaps began to appear at the back. That was exactly what a player of Messiâs calibre thrives on.
In the 62nd minute, the Argentine maestro threaded a precise pass through the defence for Tadeo Allende, who made no mistake in front of goal to extend the lead to 3-0. The move perfectly captured Miamiâs performance on the nightâsharp, quick, and ruthlessly effective.
Allende was not done yet. As Cincinnati pushed higher up the pitch in desperation, Miami continued to find space on the break. In the 74th minute, Messi once again timed his pass to perfection, releasing Allende for his second of the game and Miamiâs fourth. At 4-0, the result was beyond doubt and the home fans were left stunned as Miami celebrated a statement victory.
Mascherano Hails âNearly Perfectâ Display
After the match, Miami head coach Javier Mascherano was full of admiration for both his star player and the entire team. He described the performance as close to âperfectâ, praising the way his side handled a difficult away fixture against high-quality opposition.
Mascherano noted that his players showed strong mentality and tactical discipline on a challenging pitch, highlighting how they took control of the game after a tricky opening spell. He also emphasized that managing Messi is both an honour and a privilege, stressing that the Argentineâs influence without the ball was just as important as his magical moments with it.
According to Mascherano, Messi continues to prove week after week that he remains a decisive force at the highest level, inspiring his teammates through his work rate, creativity and leadership.
Next Stop: Eastern Conference Final
With this emphatic win, Inter Miami now turn their attention to the Eastern Conference championship match, where they will face the winner of the clash between Philadelphia and New York City FC.
The victors of the Eastern and Western Conference finals will meet in the MLS Cup championship game on December 6, where Miami hope to cap their season with a historic first title.
On the evidence of this performance, and with Messi in irresistible form, few teams will relish the prospect of facing Inter Miami in the games that matter most.
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