Star forward Lionel Messi helped Inter Miami reach the MLS Eastern Conference finals, contributing to all four goals.
Published November 24, 2025
Taddeo Allende scored twice in the second half, Lionel Messi had a goal and three assists, and Inter Miami beat Cincinnati 4-0 in the Major League Soccer (MLS) Eastern Conference semifinals on Sunday.
19-year-old Matteo Silvetti also had a goal and an assist for third-seeded Miami, which continues its run through the deepest MLS Cup playoffs in club history by reaching its first East final. The game was played Sunday night at home to No. 5 seed New York City FC, who shut out No. 1 seed Philadelphia Union 1-0.
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Cincinnati fell one game short of making it to the East Finals for the second time, losing three straight home games in the postseason.
After a home win over Nashville in the first series deciding game two weeks ago, Miami’s second straight playoff win, 4-0, was due to coach Javier Mascherano’s decision not to reinstate key striker Luis Suarez into the starting lineup.
Suarez, a former longtime teammate of Messi’s at Barcelona, was suspended for a red card in the final game in Nashville, but he had 10 goals and 10 assists in the regular season.
But Messi and Miami’s more youthful front four appear to have reached a new level over the last 180 minutes.
Messi had six goals and six assists this postseason, contributing to all of Miami’s records with 29 goals and 19 assists during the regular season, which could earn him his second consecutive MLS MVP award.
Messi wins in East semifinals
After a very even start to the game on Sunday, Messi scored in the 19th minute.
Jody Alba stepped forward from his left back position and intercepted a Cincinnati pass, creating a transition opportunity.
Eventually, Silvetti received the ball in space on the left and sent in an outswinging cross, which Messi headed home with great force past goalkeeper Roman Celentano.
Silvetti extended Miami’s lead to two points in the 57th minute with a series of shots that started with a throw-in on the right side. Allende received the throw very well, quickly turning his body to evade the defender and find Messi in space near the penalty arc. Messi continued to move the ball from right to left with a layoff into Silvetti’s path, and Silvetti fired a wonderful curling finish past Celentano and inside the far right post.
Allende added goals in the 62nd and 74th minutes on transition opportunities. Messi created a break-up by stealing the ball from Evander in the first scene, then played a final through pass to both of them.
