CNN
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Lionel Messi and Inter Miami continue to demonstrate their winning ways.
Just days after securing victory in the Leagues Cup, an international tournament featuring clubs from Major League Soccer and Liga MX, Messi and his club Inter Miami staged an impressive comeback in the US Open Cup semifinal by defeating FC Cincinnati in a penalty kick shootout.
Early in the game at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, FC Cincinnati took the lead with a goal from Luciano Acosta in the 18th minute. They extended their lead in the second half with a goal from Brandon Vazquez in the 53rd minute, much to the delight of the home fans.
However, Inter Miami launched a remarkable comeback.
Leonardo Campana, the forward for Inter Miami, scored a goal from a Messi free-kick to reduce the deficit to one goal. In the final moments of stoppage time, Messi delivered a cross into the box, allowing Campana to once again score with a header and equalize the game.
Four minutes into extra time, Inter Miami striker Josef Martinez scored, giving the club its first lead of the match. However, FC Cincinnati fought back, with Yuya Kubo scoring the equalizer in the 114th minute, leading to a penalty shootout.
After both teams successfully converted their first four penalty kicks, Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender saved Nick Hagglund’s shot, allowing midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi to score and secure a 5-4 victory for Inter Miami, propelling them to their second final in club history.
While Messi didn’t score a goal in this match, he provided two assists that contributed to the win for Inter Miami.
Inter Miami will face the Houston Dynamo in the US Open Cup final on September 27.
It wasn’t just soccer fans who wanted to witness the “Messi Mania.” NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase were in attendance, cheering on FC Cincinnati.
Messi’s next match is scheduled for Saturday as he makes his MLS regular season debut with Inter Miami against the New York Red Bulls in Harrison, New Jersey.
Inter Miami, who were at the bottom of the MLS Eastern Conference table before Messi’s arrival, now find themselves 14 points behind ninth place and securing a playoff spot with only 12 matches remaining.
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