What can you even say at this point? We all knew Lionel Messi was going to change things for Inter Miami, but this is something else entirely. On Sunday, he didn't just play a soccer game; he conducted a symphony. In a stunning 4-0 demolition of FC Cincinnati, Messi put on an absolute clinic, pushing his team one giant step closer to lifting his very first MLS Cup and booking a spot in the Eastern Conference finals.
Key Highlights
- ✓ Lionel Messi was involved in all four goals, scoring one and assisting three.
- ✓ Inter Miami secured a dominant 4-0 win over FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium.
- ✓ Messi set a new record for the most goal contributions in a single MLS postseason, with 12 goal contributions.
- ✓ Tadeo Allende scored a brace, and Mateo Silvetti added a goal and an assist.
- ✓ The victory sends Inter Miami to the Eastern Conference finals.
A Masterclass in Dominance
From the opening whistle, it was clear this wasn't just another playoff game. While Miami had less of the ball in the early stages, they were devastatingly clinical when they had it. Their first real chance resulted in a goal, and of course, Messi was the one to finish it. It was a thing of beauty, with some fantastic interplay before Mateo Silvetti sent in a perfect cross for his fellow Argentine to head home.
Cincinnati tried to respond, they really did. Players like Evander and Kevin Denkey caused some chaos and had their moments, but they just couldn't find that final touch to get an equalizer before halftime. And once the second half started, it was all Miami. Just 12 minutes in, at the 57-minute mark, Messi turned from scorer to provider. He pivoted, found Silvetti, who then curled a gorgeous shot into the far corner to make it 2-0.
Before Cincinnati could even process what had happened, the third goal came. And guess who was at the center of it all again? Lionel Messi. He won the ball deep inside his own half, took just three touches, and then threaded an absolutely inch-perfect pass into the path of Tadeo Allende, who coolly slotted it home. Allende wasn't done, either, bagging his second of the night after 75 minutes to put the game completely out of reach. It was a performance that snapped a three-year winless streak for Miami at TQL Stadium.
Rewriting the MLS Record Books
Let's talk about the history that was made on Sunday. With his goal and three assists, Messi took his tally to 12 goal contributions in these playoffs alone. That’s a new record for the most in a single MLS postseason, ever. It’s hard to wrap your head around that. He’s not just playing well; he is, as one reporter put it, "making an absolute mockery of this league at the moment."
It’s that ability to pop up in the perfect position or make the perfect decision, time and time again, that separates him. The stats sheet might show an even game, but anyone watching knew it wasn't. It was the story of one team that had a cheat code. Throughout his entire career, Messi has always met the moment, and it's no surprise he's continuing to do so at a record-setting pace in the MLS.
The Gutsy Call That Paid Off
While Messi rightly gets the headlines, we have to talk about the man on the sideline, manager Javier Mascherano. He made a huge, gutsy call before the game even started by leaving superstar striker Luis Suárez on the bench. Instead, he started Mateo Silvetti, and boy, did that decision pay off. Mascherano earned a 9/10 rating for his management, and it’s easy to see why.
Silvetti was described as "absolutely masterful," and he truly was. He assisted Messi’s opening goal and then scored a fantastic one of his own. He was arguably Miami’s second-best attacker on a night when the best was playing on another planet. Luis Suárez did eventually make a brief cameo in the 76th minute, but by then the job was done. Mascherano's tactical choice proved to be a stroke of genius.
A Full Team Effort
Of course, soccer is a team game, and while Messi was otherworldly, others stepped up big time. Tadeo Allende was terrific, not just for his two goals but for his constant legwork. In the midfield, Baltasar Rodriguez never stopped running, and Rodrigo De Paul was a rock, putting out fires and winning his tackles. It was the perfect blend of dirty work and quality.
The defense deserves a shout-out too. Goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo will gladly take the clean sheet, though he only had to make one or two simple saves. A huge moment came from Noah Allen, who made a "wonderful burst of pace" to prevent a dangerous one-on-one for Denkey. Unfortunately, he went off injured after a tremendous shift, but his replacement, Tomas Aviles, didn't put a foot wrong. It was a complete performance from top to bottom.
Conclusion
So, what’s the bottom line? Inter Miami isn't just winning; they're making statements. This 4-0 thrashing was a message to the rest of the league. With a record-breaking Lionel Messi leading the charge, a tactically brilliant manager in Javier Mascherano, and a supporting cast that is firing on all cylinders, they look as strong as they have all season. As they head into the Eastern Conference finals, they will surely be favored, and it's all because of nights like this—a perfect blend of genius, grit, and tactical masterstrokes.
