Photo via Inter Miami on X
In one of the finest performances in Inter Miami’s history, Lionel Messi and his teammates delivered a statement victory, thrashing FC Cincinnati 4–0 away from home in the MLS Eastern Conference semifinal. The night at TQL Stadium was nothing short of electrifying, and it will be remembered as the game where Miami proved its championship credentials.
A Bold Tactical Gamble by Mascherano
The match began with Cincinnati dominating early possession and pressing high with confidence. Backed by their home crowd, they looked sharper in the opening exchanges — but it only took one moment of Messi brilliance to flip the script.
Mateo Silvetti, starting once again ahead of veteran Luis Suárez in a surprising tactical move, provided the assist for Messi’s perfectly timed header. Head coach Javier Mascherano had hinted that Suárez would start — even Inter Miami’s official matchday poster featured him — but in reality, the coach had other plans. It was a masterclass in mind games that caught everyone, including Cincinnati, completely off guard.
Messi’s Genius Sparks Momentum
It took only 19 minutes for Inter Miami to take the lead. Silvetti’s cross met Messi, who ghosted past defenders to head home clinically. That single touch changed the tone of the match. “Just look at Messi’s movement on that goal — he’s operating on an entirely different wavelength,” said one fan.
The first half ended 1–0, but it was clear that Miami were in full control of the tempo despite limited possession.
The Second-Half Masterplan
As the second half began, Inter Miami executed another subtle mind game — making Cincinnati wait a few extra minutes before emerging from the tunnel. The delay was psychological warfare, setting the tone for what was to come.
In the 57th minute, Messi turned provider, threading an inch-perfect through ball to Silvetti, who finished brilliantly to double Miami’s lead. The young forward’s confidence has grown game by game, and this finish showed exactly why fans wanted him in the starting XI.
Cincinnati, forced to chase the game, began pushing higher up the field — and that’s exactly when Messi struck again. Winning the ball deep, the Argentine magician delivered a perfectly weighted pass to Tadeo Allende, who has faced criticism all season for missing key chances. This time, Allende calmly slotted it home to make it 3–0.
Just minutes later, history repeated itself — another elegant through ball from Messi found Allende again. Another precise finish. 4–0 Miami. The home fans were stunned into silence as Miami celebrated one of the most dominant away performances ever seen in MLS playoffs.
Messi the Maestro — Another Record-Breaking Night
Messi walked away with another Man of the Match award, contributing one goal and three assists. He now has 12 goal involvements (6 goals, 6 assists) in just four playoff matches — a staggering record that cements his status as the favorite for MLS MVP.
The 38-year-old also reached yet another unbelievable milestone: 1,300 career goal contributions across club and country — 896 goals and 404 assists in 1,135 games. His recent form is superhuman:
Last 7 games:
⚽️ 11 Goals
🅰️ 11 Assists
➡️ A goal contribution every 28.6 minutes.
At 38, Messi continues to redefine what greatness looks like in football.
Mascherano’s Tactical Brilliance and Leadership
After the match, head coach Javier Mascherano praised his players for their execution and spirit:
“We decided to start with this XI because we believe it’s the best team we can put on the pitch from the beginning. That’s how we’ve been preparing.”
He continued:
“On nights like this, what truly stands out is the team — not just the eleven who start. It’s never easy to leave out a player like Luis, and I have to say, the way he handled it was admirable.”
Mascherano’s humility was also evident as he deflected credit back to his players:
“One can have the best ideas as a coach, but those who execute them are the players. The credit goes to them and the personality with which they have played.”
Finally, he concluded with perspective and pride:
“When you win, the message is always positive — but what matters most is the way. Even if the result had been different, I would’ve been just as proud. From the first minutes, we understood we had to go for the match and be ourselves.”
A Night to Remember
This victory wasn’t just about the scoreline — it was a declaration. Inter Miami, often criticized for being dependent on Messi, played with purpose, confidence, and unity. The tactical brilliance of Mascherano, combined with the elegance of Messi, Silvetti, and Allende, created a performance that will echo through the MLS for seasons to come.
Inter Miami now marches into the MLS Conference Final, looking every bit like a team destined for glory.
Well, this was a really good article. Well also some more analysis on defence of our team would also have been good.