Inter Miami 0 1 FC Cincinnati Lionel Messis return doesnt

Inter Miami 0-1 FC Cincinnati: Lionel Messi’s return doesn’t excite the hosts as Alvaro Bareal’s late goal dashes their MLS playoff hopes

  • The 36-year-old Messi’s appearance for Saturday’s home game was questionable due to a worsening injury
  • The Herons only won the Leagues Cup in the first season of the World Cup in America
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Inter Miami’s playoff hopes are officially over after Lionel Messi failed to lead his team to victory in a competitive game against Cincinnati. Fellow Argentine Alvaro Bareal scored a late goal to end the world champions’ first MLS season.

Messi, doubtful for this weekend’s game in South Florida, came on in the 55th minute for defender Tomas Aviles in an offensive substitution with the score still 0-0 at the time.

But about 23 minutes later, Bareal scored with a nice save from Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callendar to give Cincinnati, the No. 1 seed in MLS’s Eastern Conference, all three points.

Inter Miami (9-17-6, 33 points) was eliminated from playoff contention due to the loss combined with CF Montreal’s win over the Portland Timbers.

Messi, 36, played on Saturday evening for the first time since September 20 after missing two weeks with a re-aggravated scar injury in his leg. When he came on as a substitute in the second half, he was unable to take advantage of some of Cincinnati’s chances.

Inter Miami 0 1 FC Cincinnati Lionel Messis return doesnt

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami failed to keep their playoff hopes alive with a 1-0 loss to Cincinnati

Cincinnati midfielder Alvaro Barreal scored a goal in the 79th minute, ending Miami's regular season

Cincinnati midfielder Alvaro Barreal scored a goal in the 79th minute, ending Miami’s regular season

Saturday night's game in Miami was played under hot conditions at the DRV PNK Stadium

Saturday night’s game in Miami was played under hot conditions at the DRV PNK Stadium

FC Cincinnati (20-5-8, 68 points) continued the best season in its young franchise history. They had already won the Supporters’ Shield for the league’s best regular season record.

Roman Celentano made two saves for Cincinnati. Callender had five saves for Miami.

Inter Miami had possession for 61.6 percent of the game, but only two of its 16 shot attempts were on target.

Inter Miami controlled the game in the first half, hitting the woodwork three times. Aviles hit the crossbar head-on from the middle of the penalty area, Josef Martinez hit the far post with a shot and Benjamin Cremaschi’s shot from close range went past the crossbar before the end of the goalless first half.

Coming on as a substitute 10 minutes after half-time, Messi quickly won a free kick within goal range in the 59th minute, but he sent his effort well over the crossbar.

Messi and Sergio Busquets arrived in the summer in the middle of the MLS season and won the League Cup with Miami, although they didn't make the playoffs

Messi and Sergio Busquets arrived in the summer in the middle of the MLS season and won the League Cup with Miami, although they didn’t make the playoffs

Cincinnati did a good job neutralizing the 36-year-old Messi after he came off the bench early in the second half

Cincinnati did a good job neutralizing the 36-year-old Messi after he came off the bench early in the second half

Messi was visibly devastated after the final whistle blew following the 1-0 home defeat

Messi was visibly devastated after the final whistle blew following the 1-0 home defeat

Inter Miami controlled the game in the first half, hitting the woodwork three times

Inter Miami controlled the game in the first half, hitting the woodwork three times

Cincinnati finally broke through by getting a steal on Miami’s end. Yuya Kubo advanced and shot at Callender, who parried the ball to his right. But Barreal burst on that side and effortlessly scored his fifth goal of the season.

In the 87th minute, Messi shot through traffic with his left foot, but the shot went past the net and out of bounds.

Messi committed two late fouls near the penalty area, one in the 90th minute and one in stoppage time. On the first free kick, Messi tried to cross the ball to a teammate and Cincinnati cleared it, setting up an unsuccessful corner for Miami.

In the latter, Messi’s shot on goal went over the crossbar again. Miami ends its season as League Cup champions, US Open Cup runners-up and 14th of 15 in MLS’s Eastern Conference.

Only Toronto (4-10-19, 22 points) trails the Herons in the league.