Lionel Messi leads Inter Miami past FC Cincinnati with a goal and three assists in 2025 MLS Cup push: Highlights and goals (0-4)

Inter Miami defeated FC Cincinnati 0-4 in the 2025 MLS Cup Eastern Conference semifinal, and you lived every moment of this dominant performance here on Bolavip.

Thanks for staying with us throughout our live coverage — see you next time!

Inter Miami defeated FC Cincinnati in the 2025 MLS Eastern Conference semifinal, powered by a brilliant night from Lionel Messi, who produced a hat-trick of assists to guide the visitors to a commanding postseason win.

Inter Miami are dominating the match with complete authority. Already leading 4–0, they now manage the ball with composure, slowing the tempo and dictating every phase of play. With long spells of possession, Miami look intent on closing out the match and removing any remaining doubt.

nter Miami continue rotating their squad. Mateo Silvetti and Jordi Alba make their way off, while Yannick Bright and Lujan Melli enter to close out the match with fresh energy on both flanks.

Immediately after the goal, both teams make multiple substitutions. For Inter Miami, Baltasar Rodriguez and Tadeo Allende come off, with Telasco Segovia and Luis Suarez entering the match.

On Cincinnati’s side, Pavel Bucha and Teenage Hadebe are replaced by Obinna Nwobodo and Alvas Powell as the home team look to regain stability and close out the match with fresh legs.

Inter Miami score again, and Messi delivers his third assist of the match. From midfield, Messi hits a stunning trivela pass that slices through Cincinnati’s back line and sends Allende in alone. The winger finishes with confidence to extend Miami’s dominant lead.

Messi fails to convert a one-on-one opportunity against the goalkeeper, sending the chance wide in uncharacteristic fashion. Even so, the play would not have stood, as the assistant referee had already flagged for offside.

Inter Miami make an adjustment at the back. Noah Allen comes off, and Tomas Aviles enters as the visitors look to manage their advantage and maintain control in the closing stages.

Cincinnati make additional substitutions as they search for a response. Nicholas Hagglund and Ender Echenique come off, with Ayoub Jabbari and Yuya Kubo entering the match to bring fresh energy into the lineup.

Inter Miami strike again, and once more it starts with Messi. He recovers the ball, leads the counterattack with pace, and threads a perfect through ball that leaves Allende alone in front of goal. The finish is calm, and Miami now hold a commanding lead.

Cincinnati make their first substitution of the match. Lukas Engel comes off, and Lucas Orellano enters as the home side look for a spark to get back into the game.

Inter Miami extend their lead. The play starts from a throw-in, where Messi receives the ball and immediately spots Silvetti making a run. With a quick, precise assist, Messi sets him up, and Silvetti finishes with ease to make it 2–0.

The match is briefly stopped after a heated sequence of complaints. In an aerial challenge, Allende takes a hit to the head from Hadebe’s arm, prompting reactions from several Miami players. Fortunately, the incident does not escalate, Allende is able to continue, and the match has resumed.

Cincinnati waste a clear opportunity as Denkey breaks free toward goal, but Noah Allen recovers brilliantly to intercept and send the ball out for a corner. Evander takes the ensuing set piece, but Cincinnati fail to make anything of it once again, and the score remains unchanged.

The second half begins as Cincinnati and Inter Miami return with fresh energy. Cincinnati push to find an equalizer, while Miami aim to manage their lead and strike again in transition.

Halftime arrives with Inter Miami leading the match. Cincinnati have shown stretches of control and created meaningful chances, but Miami’s efficiency—driven by Messi’s impact—remains the difference so far. The second half promises tension as Cincinnati look to respond and Miami aim to protect their advantage.

Cincinnati fail to take advantage of a late corner. Evander delivers a ball that sails too long, and after a brief rebound inside the box, the goalkeeper steps in to secure it and end the threat.

The referee adds three minutes to the end of the first half. Cincinnati and Inter Miami will have a bit more time to shape the momentum before the break.

Inter Miami take control of the ball now, slowing the pace and managing the rhythm of the match. When they lose possession, their response is immediate—pressing with intensity and forcing Cincinnati into rushed decisions.

Cincinnati’s possessions are carrying more danger, but the final pass continues to lack precision. The home side are moving the ball well and showing initiative, holding 53% of possession compared to Miami’s 46%. Still, they need sharper execution in the last stretch to turn these sequences into real scoring chances.

The tempo of the match slows down as Cincinnati try to recover possession and reestablish their rhythm. Inter Miami continue pressing high, but Cincinnati’s ability to keep the ball becomes crucial—not only to build confidence and create chances, but also to limit Miami’s transitions and prevent Lionel Messi from finding dangerous attacking moments.

Messi almost doubles Miami’s lead. Sergio Busquets delivers a brilliant through ball that splits the lines, and Messi beats his marker to get in behind. The Argentine strikes with his left foot, sending the ball just inches wide of the far post.

Echenique nearly levels the match for Cincinnati. He dances past his marker inside Miami’s box and fires a low, driven shot across goal that flies inches wide of the far post.

After Messi failed on the previous free kick, Cincinnati attempted to play out from the back, but Jordi Alba stepped up and won a crucial ball in midfield. He quickly released Messi, who switched the play to the left side for Silvetti. The forward sent a precise cross back into the heart of the box, where Messi met it with a header to put Miami ahead.

Inter Miami earn a free kick after Gidi brings down Messi, but the chance goes nowhere. The execution is poor, and Cincinnati clear the danger without any trouble.

For the moment, Cincinnati are making their home advantage felt as they dominate the match through sustained possession. Evander is dictating the tempo with confidence in midfield, while Denkey is holding the ball up effectively with his back to goal and helping generate dangerous moments.

Cincinnati create an opportunity right after the match resumes, earning a corner taken by Evander. However, the home side fail to capitalize, and the ball is eventually cleared by the Miami defense.

The match is temporarily halted after Echenique collided heads with Jordi Alba. The Inter Miami defender is receiving medical attention while both teams wait for the restart.

Inter Miami create the first dangerous play of the match, forcing a corner that Lionel Messi delivers with precision. However, the opportunity goes to waste as Silvetti sends his header well off target, letting Cincinnati off the hook early.

The match is officially underway. Cincinnati and Inter Miami start this Eastern Conference semifinal. Stay with us for minute-by-minute coverage of every key moment.

Luis Suarez will not start tonight as Inter Miami face FC Cincinnati in the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs. According to Javier Mascherano, the decision is based on tactical rotation and fitness management, with Miami aiming to keep key players fresh for a high-intensity semifinal at TQL Stadium.

The head-to-head history between FC Cincinnati and Inter Miami is as balanced as it gets. Across their 13 previous meetings, Cincinnati have won 5 times, Miami have also won 5 times, and 3 matches have ended in a draw.

Cincinnati have scored 25 goals in the series, while Miami have produced 22, underscoring how tight this matchup has been over the years.

Inter Miami reveal their starting XI for today’s MLS Eastern Conference semifinal at TQL Stadium: Rios Novo; Marcelo Weigandt, Maximiliano Falcon, Sergio Busquets, Noah Allen, Jordi Alba; Tadeo Allende, De Paul, Baltasar Rodriguez; Lionel Messi, Mateo Silvetti.

Here's Cincinnati's confirmed lineup for the MLS Eastern Conference semifinal vs Inter Miami

TQL Stadium is a soccer-specific venue located in the city of Cincinnati, Ohio. It has been the home of MLS side FC Cincinnati since it opened on May 16, 2021, and it remains one of the league’s most modern facilities.

The stadium holds a capacity of 26,000 fans, creating an intense atmosphere for postseason soccer—especially on nights like this Eastern Conference semifinal against Inter Miami.

Here's how it looks:

General view inside the TQL Stadium.

Here are the match officials assigned for FC Cincinnati vs Inter Miami. Drew Fischer will serve as the referee for this MLS Eastern Conference semifinal at TQL Stadium.

• Assistant referee 1: Jeremy Kieso
• Assistant referee 2: Jeffrey Greeson
• Fourth official: Pierre Luc Lauziere
• VAR: Carol-Anne Chenard
• AVAR: Robert Schaap

FC Cincinnati vs Inter Miami will get underway at 5:00 PM ET (PT:2:00 PM)

Watch this  MLS Eastern Conference semifinal match between Cincinnati and Inter Miami live in the USA on MLS League Pass on Apple TV

Both teams are now on the field at TQL Stadium for the national anthems. Cincinnati and Inter Miami line up as the atmosphere builds ahead of this crucial MLS Eastern Conference semifinal.

Welcome to our live blog of this MLS Eastern Conference semifinal at TQL Stadium, where FC Cincinnati host Inter Miami in a high-pressure postseason showdown. Messi and Miami arrive after advancing past Nashville in the best-of-three round, while Cincinnati come into this match with momentum after eliminating Columbus.

Stay with us for key information, fun notes, and minute-by-minute updates as Cincinnati and Miami battle for a spot in the MLS Eastern Conference final this Sunday!