Inter Miami 3-3 Cincinnati (5-4 pens): The Lionel Messi tale continues as the Herons secure a place in the final of the US Open Cup with another win on penalties
- Inter Miami secured their place in the final of the US Open Cup with a penalty shoot-out win
- 18-year-old Benjamin Cremaschi scored the decisive penalty kick
- offers the latest international sports news
The Messi mania showed no end on Wednesday night as Inter Miami picked up their cup form from where it left off; with a penalty shootout win.
Inter Miami had lifted their first-ever trophy in the League Cup final on Saturday night, but David Beckham’s side saved their chances of a second title with a penalty-shootout win over FC Cincinnati in the US Open Cup semi-finals.
Cincinnati went 2-0 up after Luciano Acosta scored the opening goal for the MLS leaders before Brandon Vazquez doubled the lead minutes into the second half.
Leonardo Campana gave the visitors a lifeline as he pulled the ball back from a Messi cross. Still, the world champions looked set to face their first defeat in the Inter Miami jersey.
But that wasn’t the script since the Messi miracle hit Miami, and Wednesday was to be no different.
Lionel Messi gave Inter Miami a comeback win over FC Cincinnati in the US Open Cup
The Herons secured their spot in the US Open Cup Finals with a penalty shootout win
FC Cincinnati took the lead early on with a skillful shot from Luciano Acosta
Once again, Messi inspired Miami’s comeback. Just like on his debut, the Argentine provided another final moment of magic. In the seventh minute of added time, Messi received the ball on the edge of the box and delivered a great ball that Campana headed again, sending the game into overtime.
Miami took the lead for the first time when Josef Martínez scored three minutes into the first overtime, but Cincinnati equalized when Yuya Kubo scored in the 114th minute to force a penalty – Miami’s second shootout in a week.
Messi made Miami’s first try in the shootout and both teams were perfect in four rounds.
Once again, Drake Callender provided the heroism, saving Cincinnati’s fifth penalty against Nick Hagglund before 18-year-old Benjamin Cremaschi converted the decisive penalty and sent Tata Martino’s side into their second final.
Miami edged out the winner of Wednesday’s late semifinal between Houston and Salt Lake in the Sept. 27 final.
It’s been a tumultuous 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 at the bottom of 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 they’re down. The Argentinian’s prowess has given his team-mates not only goals, but also courage, determination and, above all, hope.
The MLS leaders went 2-0 up thanks to Brandon Vazquez in the 53rd minute
Messi set up two goals from Leonardo Campana to level the game
The Argentine remained goalless for the first time since joining Inter Miami in late July
Nick Hagglund reacts after his penalty kick was saved by Miami goalie Drake Callender
Messi made his attempt in the shootout and both teams were perfect in four rounds
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, who steered Argentina to the World Cup last year, had scored ten goals in his first seven games with Miami to take the team to the League Cup title.
But Messi remained goalless for the first time since joining Inter Miami in late July. Nonetheless, he managed to make an impact.
His first assist of the game came from a free kick in the 68th minute that reduced Miami’s deficit to 2-1. He delivered a long cross into the box and set up Campana’s second with a header that sent the game into overtime.
He is expected to make his Major League Soccer debut with the New York Red Bulls on Saturday.