Lionel Messi once again asserted himself in the shirt of Inter Miami on Wednesday night. The 36-year-old star attacker led his club in the semi-finals of the US Open Cup with two assists to extra time, in which Inter eventually proved too strong for FC Cincinnati (3-3, 5-4) after penalties. However, there was a tiny ‘blemish’ on the duel for Messi. For the first time since his debut, he failed to score.
In his first seven matches, all completed in the Leagues Cup, Messi managed to find the net at least once. In total, the counter for Wednesday was ten goals and one assist. The Argentinian did add to his assist total against Cincinnati. After 67 minutes, he hurled a free kick at Leo Campana’s head, who headed the 2-1 goal against the ropes. The Messi-Campana duo struck again in stoppage time.
LEO MESSI AND LEONARDO CAMPANA COME THROUGH AGAIN FOR INTER MIAMI. ??
ALL LEVEL IN CINCY IN STOPPAGE TIME. ?? pic.twitter.com/TUcBPR3x3b
— WATCH MESSI FOR FREE (more in bio) (@CBSSportsGolazo) August 24, 2023
With one minute left to force extra time, Messi saw his teammate go to the near post. In a similar fashion to his previous assist, he swung the ball towards Campana, who took aim and headed in against the grain. Goals from Josef Martínez and Yuya Kubo eventually resulted in penalties. Messi took the first and did not fail. Cincinnati’s Nick Hagglund grew into a schlemiel.
Messi is already standing for his second trophy as an Inter Miami player after two months. Houston Dynamo FC awaits in the final of the US Open Cup, which itself was 3-1 too strong for Real Salt Lake. The game will take place on September 27 and will be played at the DRV PNK Stadium, home of Inter Miami. At the end of August, Inter captured the Leagues Cup against Nashville (1-1, 10-11 on penalties).