Messi Double Inspires Inter Miami to Thrilling Comeback Victory Over Cincinnati
May 14, 2026 | Burma Independent Voice
Argentine legend Lionel Messi produced two goals and an assist to lead Inter Miami to a hard-fought 5-3 victory over FC Cincinnati. In Wednesday’s encounter, Inter Miami had to battle back from behind, eventually securing their seventh consecutive away win with a flurry of late goals.
For the 38-year-old Messi, this marks the third time this season he has recorded three or more goal involvements in a single match. He now sits second in the league’s top-scorer rankings with 12 goals.
“When you talk about Leo, he is truly exceptional—both as a person and as a player on the pitch,” Inter Miami head coach Guillermo Hoyos said in post-match praise.
Messi opened the scoring for Inter Miami in the 24th minute. However, Cincinnati drew level through a penalty in the 41st minute and took the lead early in the second half in the 49th minute, forcing Miami into a chase. In the 55th minute, Messi struck again, connecting with a pass from Luis Suárez to make it 2-2.
This performance marked Messi’s 21st multi-goal game in MLS, extending his record since joining in 2023. Although Cincinnati reclaimed the lead in the 64th minute, Inter Miami refused to back down, scoring successive goals to turn the tide of the match.
The turning point came in the 84th minute when Bartaranmi capitalized on a collision between a Cincinnati defender and the goalkeeper to slot the ball into an empty net for the winner. Messi nearly completed a hat-trick in the 89th minute when his shot struck the post and deflected off the goalkeeper into the net, though it was later officially ruled as an own goal.
Coach Hoyos added, “Players like Messi, De Paul, and Suárez have elevated the standard of MLS. Winning on a difficult pitch against a tough opponent today is a testament to their immense quality.”
