Hit again – this time only in the lottery, won again – this time only in another competition. Lionel Messi has reached the second final in a short space of time with Inter Miami
Messi’s record with Miami remains phenomenal and unblemished. The Argentinian led his new team, which once again included Spaniards Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, to a 5-4 penalty shootout victory over FC Cincinnati in the semi-finals of the US Open Cup. This was their second appearance in the final after their triumph in the Leagues Cup.
Messi didn’t score from the spot this time, but set up two beautiful crosses that allowed Inter to break a 2-0 deadlock through Ecuadorian goalscorer Leonardo Campana – the 2-2 score came in the seventh minute of stoppage time – and reach extra time. There, the Beckham club took the lead through former Serie A professional Josef Martinez (93rd), but had to swallow the 3:3 in the 114th minute through Japan’s Yuya Kubo. He may be known in Germany from his time at 1. FC Nürnberg.
Inter Miami vs FC Cincinnati highlights.
Leo Messi and Inter Miami are through to the finals of US Open Cup . Messi InterMiami USOpenCupInterMiamiCF Busquetspic. twitter.com/zOP8LNB4Lo
– Sportsbuzz+ (@sportsbuzzplus) August 24, 2023
Callender parries again
It came down to the penalty shoot-out. There, Messi became the first pro for Miami to score, as he did Saturday in a 10-9 loss to Nashville SC in the Leagues Cup. Inter goalkeeper Drake Callender was again the hero in the lottery from the spot, saving Cincinnati’s last attempt. Benjamin Cremaschi converted the decisive try for Miami.
In his first seven games for Miami, Messi has scored ten goals. The US Open Cup final will take place on 27 September. His opponents will be Houston Dynamo FC after a 3:1 victory over Real Salt Lake. And at some point Messi will also play league games in Major League Soccer, where his club is in last place in the Eastern Conference.