Lionel Messi orchestrated two assists and secured a shootout victory as Inter Miami edged past MLS leaders Cincinnati 5-4 on penalties, following an intense 3-3 draw. Their triumph sets up a U.S. Open Cup final clash against Houston.
In an unbroken streak of eight matches, Miami's invincibility under the leadership of Messi continued as they ventured into the world of Major League Soccer.
The anticipation was palpable as Messi, the illustrious 36-year-old and recipient of the prestigious Ballon d'Or award seven times, embarked on his debut with the team against the formidable New York Red Bulls on a Saturday.
A recent addition to the team, Messi's arrival a month ago had already borne fruit, propelling Miami to seize the Leagues Cup title.
The anticipation surrounding his MLS debut was matched only by the excitement that emanated from fans, wondering what magic Messi would conjure on the field this time.
Cincinnati, their opponents, initially seemed to hold the upper hand, securing a 2-0 lead with impressive goals courtesy of Luciano Acosta in the 18th minute and Brandon Vazquez in the 53rd.
However, Messi, true to his reputation, swiftly altered the narrative. Displaying his trademark playmaking finesse, he orchestrated two goals, masterfully assisting Leonardo Campana in the 68th minute and delivering a crucial contribution in the seventh minute of injury time.
The see-saw battle continued, and Miami's Josef Martínez stepped up, tipping the scales in their favor with a goal that pushed them ahead 3-2 merely three minutes into extra time.
Yet, Cincinnati was far from defeated. Yuya Kubo proved their resilience, knotting the score once again with a strike in the 114th minute.
As the intensity escalated, the match eventually culminated in a shootout. Messi, the linchpin of Miami's strategy, initiated the shootout with a precise attempt.
Both teams demonstrated remarkable accuracy through four rounds, leaving spectators in awe. The tension reached its peak when, in the fifth round, Herons' goalkeeper Drake Callender thwarted Nick Hagglund's kick, tilting the balance in Miami's favor.
Ben Cremaschi capitalized on the opportunity, converting his penalty kick flawlessly, thus propelling Miami into yet another thrilling tournament final.
Meanwhile, in another captivating semifinal clash, Houston emerged victorious.
The Dynamo, facing Salt Lake, engaged in an intense struggle that extended into extra time.
Héctor Herrera's fifth-minute goal during the initial extra period set the tone, followed by Adalberto Carrasquilla's strike in the 105th minute.
The relentless competition saw Luis Caicedo further extend Houston's lead, finding the back of the net merely five minutes into the second extra session.
However, Salt Lake refused to bow out quietly, as Anderson Julio's equalizer in the 64th minute reignited the match briefly.
Looking ahead, Miami has earned the privilege of hosting the much-anticipated final, scheduled for September 27th.