Shortly after winning the Leagues Cup, Lionel Messi helped Inter Miami reach the 2023 US Open Cup final. The Argentine star provided two assists to force the extra time against FC Cincinnati and scored his spot-kick in the penalty shootout win.
It wasn’t one of Leo’s best performances since moving to the United States, but he still came up with a few moments of magic to change the result. After sending a great cross for Leo Campana to pull one back, Messi pulled off another fantastic pass to let the Ecuadorian striker put things level in the dying seconds of the game.
Josef Martinez put Miami in front in extra time, but Kubo hit back to take the semifinals to the penalty kicks shootout. Drake Callender made a crucial save and Inter Miami won the series 5-4 to book a ticket to the final.
Lionel Messi assists Leo Campana twice to help Inter Miami advance
Martin O'Donnell is a bilingual sports writer fluent in English and Spanish, currently serving as the Managing Editor of World Soccer Talk while continuing in his role as Managing Editor of Bolavip. He began his journey with Bolavip in February 2021, making a name for himself through comprehensive coverage of multiple sports, including soccer, with a specialty in original content and real-time reporting of major events such as the World Cup and UEFA Champions League finals. In June 2024, Martin took on the role of Subeditor, where he excelled in overseeing the publication of stories, assisting staff writers, and ensuring content quality. His prior experience includes managing social media for CONMEBOL Libertadores and Sudamericana in English and Spanish, as well as reporting on Brazilian soccer for Sambafoot. In May 2025, Martin became Managing Editor of Bolavip, where he leads the team, drives the website's growth, and oversees content focused on sports news, analysis, interviews, and exclusive coverage. In November 2026, he expanded his editorial responsibilities by joining World Soccer Talk as Managing Editor, bringing his extensive experience in sports journalism and editorial leadership to the role.
