2023 U.S. Open Cup: Inter Miami (5) 3-3 (4) FC Cincinnati
Lionel Messi dished out two assists while a rallying South Florida side used another penalty shootout to advance to the tournament final
Inter Miami was seconds away from suffering its first defeat of the Lionel Messi era on Wednesday night, but the Argentine superstar refused to let that happen.
Messi dished out a sublime game-tying assist to Leonardo Campana seven minutes into second half stoppage time, and that helped pave the way for Inter Miami to prevail against FC Cincinnati, 5-4, on penalty kicks following a 3-3 road draw in the semifinals of the U.S. Open Cup.
The dramatic match at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, was defined in the fifth round of the shootout. Drake Callender first parried FC Cincinnati centerback Nick Hagglund’s attempt before Benjamin Cremaschi converted, sending the South Florida side to the second final in franchise history.
The rollercoaster affair had plenty of twists and turns, with FC Cincinnati taking a 2-0 lead before Messi set up a pair of Campana goals to force extra time. Inter Miami took the lead early in the added half-hour of play through Josef Martinez, but advanced on penalties after conceding an equalizer.
La Rosanegra will play the winner of Wednesday’s other semifinal between the Houston Dynamo and Real Salt Lake. If the Dynamo win that match, Inter Miami will host the title game on Sept. 27.
FC Cincinnati: Luciano Acosta (Aaron Boupendza) 18’
FC Cincinnati: Brandon Vazquez (Santiago Arias) 53’
Inter Miami: Leonardo Campana (Lionel Messi) 68’
Inter Miami: Leonardo Campana (Lionel Messi) 90+7’
Inter Miami: Josef Martinez (Benjamin Cremaschi) 93’
FC Cincinnati: Yuya Kubo 114’
PENALTIES
Nashville SC: Yuya Kubo— Goal (1-0)
Inter Miami: Lionel Messi — Goal (1-1)
Nashville SC: Santiago Arias — Goal (2-1)
Inter Miami: Facundo Farias — Goal (2-2)
Nashville SC: Sergio Santos — Goal (3-2)
Inter Miami: David Ruiz — Goal (3-3)
Nashville SC: Matt Miazga — Goal (4-3)
Inter Miami: Josef Martinez — Goal (4-4)
Nashville SC: Nick Hagglund — Miss (4-4)
Inter Miami: Benjamin Cremaschi — Goal (5-4)