Messi mania showed no sign of stopping Wednesday night as Inter Miami picked up its cup form where it left off; with a penalty shootout win.
Inter Miami had lifted its first-ever trophy in the Leagues Cup final Saturday night but David Beckham‘s side kept the chances of adding a second alive with a penalty shootout win over FC Cincinnati in the US Open Cup semifinal.
Cincinnati had cruised into a 2-0 lead after Luciano Acosta opened the scoring for the MLS leaders before Brandon Vazquez doubled the lead minutes into the second half.
Leonardo Campana handed the visitors a lifeline as he pulled one back from a Messi cross. Yet, the World Cup winner still seemed to be facing his first defeat in an Inter Miami shirt.
But that hasn’t been the script since the Messi miracle hit Miami and Wednesday was not going to be any different.
Lionel Messi sparked Inter Miami to a comeback win over FC Cincinnati in the US Open Cup
The Herons booked their spot in the US Open Cup final with a penalty shootout win
FC Cincinnati had taken the lead early on through Luciano Acosta’s nifty flick
Once again, Messi inspired the comeback for Miami. Just had he did on his debut, the Argentine delivered another last-gasp moment of magic. In the seventh minute of added time, Messi received the ball on the edge of the box and delivered in a sublime ball for Campana to once again get his head to, sending the clash to extra time at the death.
Miami took the lead for the first time when Josef Martínez scored three minutes into the first extra period, but Cincinnati equalized when Yuya Kubo scored in the 114th minute, forcing penalties – Miami’s second shootout in a week.
Messi made Miami’s first attempt in the shootout, and both teams were perfect through four rounds.
Once again, Drake Callender provided the heroics, saving Cincinnati’s fifth spotkick from Nick Hagglund before 18-year-old Benjamin Cremaschi stepped up to slot the winning penalty home and send Tata Martino’s men through to their second final.
Miami advanced to face the winner of Wednesday´s late semifinal between Houston and Salt Lake in the final in Sept. 27.
It has been a whirlwind month for The Herons since Messi and his former Barcelona teammates, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, arrived in Fort Lauderdale.
Messi has now inspired the team – currently sat rock-bottom in MLS – to dream of the impossible; two trophies and maybe, just maybe, a shot at making the playoffs.
With Messi at the helm, Miami seems unstoppable, even when it’s down. The Argentine’s firing form has provided his teammates not just goals but also grit, determination and most importantly, hope.
The MLS leaders jumped to a 2-0 lead in the 53rd minute thanks to Brandon Vazquez
Messi set up a pair of goals by Leonardo Campana, tying the game at two
The Argentine was held scoreless for the first time since joining Inter Miami in late July
Nick Hagglund reacts after his penalty was saved by Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender
Messi made his attempt in the shootout, and both teams were perfect through four rounds
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.
But Messi was held scoreless for the first time since joining Inter Miami in late July. Yet, he still managed to have an impact.
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.
He is set to make his Major League Soccer debut Saturday at the New York Red Bulls.
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