Messi brace powers Inter Miami to 5-3 comeback win at Cincinnati
Synopsis
Trailing 3-2 with 11 minutes left, Inter Miami didn't blink. Messi, Silvetti, and Berterame combined for three late goals to overturn a Cincinnati lead in Cincinnati — a 5-3 result that matches the best-ever MLS road start through nine games and underlines just how dangerous this Miami side is when the match is on the line.
Key Takeaways
Inter Miami CF beat FC Cincinnati 5-3 at TQL Stadium on 14 May in a dramatic comeback.
Lionel Messi scored twice (55th, 89th-minute own goal assisted) and added an assist, taking his tally to 11 league goals and 5 assists this season.
Mateo Silvetti (79th minute) and German Berterame (84th minute) scored as second-half substitutes to turn the match around.
Rodrigo De Paul registered his sixth league assist of the campaign for Messi's equaliser.
The win matches FC Cincinnati's 2024 record of 22 points from the first nine away games in an MLS regular season.
Lionel Messi scored a brace and set up another goal as Inter Miami CF produced a stunning second-half comeback to defeat FC Cincinnati 5-3 at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati on 14 May, claiming a vital three points on the road in the MLS regular season.
Key Developments
Miami fell behind twice in the second half before turning the match on its head with three goals in the final 21 minutes. The win equalled FC Cincinnati's 2024 record for the most points accumulated through the opening nine away games of an MLS regular season, with both clubs now on 22 points at that stage.
How the Goals Fell
Miami drew first blood in the 24th minute, with Messi capitalising on a defensive error to finish from inside the box — his 10th regular-season goal of the campaign. Kevin Denkey levelled from the penalty spot in the 44th minute, and Pavel Bucha put Cincinnati ahead in the 49th minute.
Messi restored parity in the 55th minute, converting a first-time left-footed effort from the centre of the box after a precise delivery from Rodrigo De Paul — his 11th league goal of the season and De Paul's sixth assist. Evander restored Cincinnati's advantage in the 64th minute, leaving Miami needing three goals to win.
The Comeback That Settled It
Second-half substitute Mateo Silvetti levelled at 3-3 in the 79th minute, converting after Messi found him in space down the left channel — Silvetti's third league goal and Messi's fifth assist of the campaign. German Berterame restored the lead in the 84th minute, pouncing on a loose ball from a free-kick delivery to score from close range, taking his tally to four goals this season.
The win was sealed in the 89th minute when a Messi shot struck the right post and deflected in off FC Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Caletano for an own goal, completing the 5-3 scoreline.
What This Means for Miami
The result underlines Inter Miami's road resilience and Messi's continued influence as both scorer and creator. With 11 goals and 5 assists in league play alone, the Argentine captain remains the focal point of Miami's attack. The comeback also highlights the squad's depth, with Silvetti and Berterame providing decisive contributions off the bench — a factor that could prove crucial across a demanding MLS schedule.
Point of View
Most sides would have settled for a point. Inter Miami went for the jugular — and got it. That instinct speaks to more than Messi's individual brilliance; it reflects a squad with genuine attacking depth, where substitutes Silvetti and Berterame can swing a match. The real question for Miami is whether this road form holds across a full MLS season, or whether a thin defensive structure — one that conceded three at home in Cincinnati — eventually costs them in a playoff context.
NationPress
7 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score between Inter Miami and FC Cincinnati?
Inter Miami CF defeated FC Cincinnati 5-3 in a comeback win at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati on 14 May. Miami trailed 3-2 before scoring three goals in the final 11 minutes.
How many goals did Messi score against FC Cincinnati?
Lionel Messi scored two goals — one in the 24th minute and a second assisted by a goalkeeper own goal in the 89th minute. He also provided the assist for Mateo Silvetti's equaliser, taking his league tally to 11 goals and 5 assists this season.
Who scored Miami's comeback goals?
Mateo Silvetti scored in the 79th minute to make it 3-3, German Berterame put Miami ahead in the 84th minute, and an own goal by FC Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Caletano in the 89th minute completed the 5-3 scoreline.
What MLS record did Inter Miami equal with this win?
The victory gave Inter Miami 22 points from their opening nine away games of the MLS regular season, equalling FC Cincinnati's 2024 record for the most points accumulated through nine road games in MLS history.
What was Rodrigo De Paul's contribution to the match?
Rodrigo De Paul provided the assist for Messi's second goal in the 55th minute with a precise delivery from the right, registering his sixth league assist of the 2025 MLS season.
