Lionel Messi had two goals and an assist, Germán Berterame had the go-ahead goal in the 84th minute and Inter Miami CF rallied for a 5-3 victory over FC Cincinnati on Wednesday, extending its road winning streak to seven.
It is the third time this season the Argentine superstar has had at least three goal contributions in a match. He is second in the league with 12 goals.
Mateo Silvetti evened it at 3-3 in the 79th minute after coming on as a substitute.
Kévin Denkey, Pavel Bucha and Evander scored for Cincinnati. It is the first time in 64 matches since Pat Noonan became coach in 2023 that it lost when it had the lead after 75 minutes.
Messi gave Miami a 1-0 lead at the 24-minute mark after he deflected a shot that went off Cincinnati's Matt Miazga near the Cincinnati goal. Denkey evened it on a penalty kick in the 41st minute.
"Speaking about Leo is truly striking, first because of the person he is, and second because of the player you see on the pitch," Inter Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos said after the game.
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| Lionel Messi has amassed 61 goals and 42 assists in 65 MLS regular-season appearances. Photo by Chris Carter/MLS via Getty Images |
After Bucha put Cincinnati on top in the 49th minute, Messi made it 2-2 six minutes later on a cutback after getting the pass from Luis Suárez.
The 38-year-old Argentina star recorded his 21st multi-goal game in MLS, extending his record for the most such games since his 2023 debut. LAFC striker Denis Bouanga follows in second place with 17.
Evander's in the 64th minute with a right footer from the center just outside the box to give Cincinnati a 3-2 lead. Miami though would rally and score the next three goals.
After Silvetti's goal, Miami took the lead off a set piece when Cincinnati's Andrei Chirila collided with goalkeeper Roman Celentano, allowing Berterame to put it into the open net.
Messi appeared to have a hat trick in the 89th minute when his shot went off the post and deflected off Celentano, but it was corrected to an own goal shortly after the match. It would have been Messi's 61st hat trick in all competitions.
"Him [Messi] Rodrigo [De Paul] and [Luis] Suárez are players who truly elevate the MLS. What they accomplished today was brilliant, simply brilliant. To perform that way on a difficult pitch, against a very tough opponent, s peaks volumes," Hoyos added.
-ESPN News Services
