Lionel Messi scored twice as Inter Miami dismantled FC Cincinnati 5-3 on Saturday night, proving again that the road to the MLS Cup runs through South Florida. The win at TQL Stadium didn’t just pad Miami’s lead at the top of the Supporters’ Shield standings—it served as a blunt reminder of the gap between Messi’s side and the rest of the league’s elite.
The Argentine captain was clinical. His first goal came early, a sharp, low strike that beat Roman Celentano at the far post. While Cincinnati’s attack managed to find holes in a sometimes-porous Miami defense, they had no answer for Messi’s movement in the final third. Every time the home side threatened to claw back into the game, Miami’s front line responded with interest.
This wasn’t a tactical chess match; it was an offensive barrage. Luis Suárez and Matías Rojas also found the scoresheet, but the night belonged to the number 10. Messi’s second goal—a trademark curling effort after a late-arriving run—effectively killed the contest. It was his 14th goal of the season, a staggering stat considering the time he’s spent sidelined with injury.
For Cincinnati, the loss is a bitter pill. They managed to put three past Drake Callender, a feat that usually secures points at home. Instead, they were left chasing shadows. “You can’t give a player of that caliber half a yard,” Cincinnati coach Pat Noonan said after the match. “We gave him three or four yards, and he punished us every single time.”
The victory puts Inter Miami in a commanding position as the regular season winds down. They aren’t just winning; they’re demoralizing opponents on their own turf. Gerardo “Tata” Martino’s squad now looks less like a collection of stars and more like a cohesive unit that knows exactly how to exploit the space Messi creates.
Miami heads home with three points and the momentum of a team that looks untouchable. If Messi stays this sharp, the rest of the league is playing for second place.
