Lionel Messi powers Inter Miami to 5-3 road win over FC Cincinnati
Led by a prolific Lionel Messi, Inter Miami beat FC Cincinnati in an eight-goal thriller to secure three important points on the road, remaining among the top spots in the MLS Eastern Conference standings.
Lionel Messi dazzled at TQL Stadium to lead Inter Miami to a thrilling 5-3 victory over FC Cincinnati for Matchday 13 of the 2026 MLS regular season.
After a very difficult start to the game, Messi broke the deadlock with a stroke of luck, as the ball deflected off him following a defender’s clearance and found the back of the net to give Inter Miami the opening goal.
Just when it seemed Miami would head into the break with the lead, Kevin Denkey scored a penalty to level the game before halftime. Right at the start of the second half, Pavel Bucha gave the hosts the lead, only for Messi to equalize the score five minutes later.
With the score level, Evander scored a stunning goal to turn the game around, sending TQL Stadium into a frenzy. However, in a quick burst, Mateo Silvetti and German Berterame restored the draw and then the lead for Inter Miami. Just before stoppage time, the Herons made it five with a goal that seemed to mean a hat-trick for Messi, but according to the MLS’ website, it ultimately counted as an own goal by Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano.
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Thanks for joining us!
Lionel Messi led Inter Miami to a valuable win on the road and you lived every moment with Bolavip!
See you next time!
End of the game!
Inter Miami defeated FC Cincinnati 5-3!
90'+3- Yellow card in Cincinnati (3-5)
Evander received a yellow card.
88'- GOOOOAAAAL FOR INTER MIAMI!!! (3-5)
Inter Miami make it five! Messi's strike, however, counted as an own goal by Roman Celentano according to the MLS website.
Kenji Mboma Dem, Miles Robinson and Matt Miazga were replaced by Obinna Nwobodo, Nick Hagglund and Andrei Chirila.
70'- Inter Miami push for the equalizer (3-2)
The visitors are searching for the equalizer following Evander’s stunning goal, but they are finding it difficult to break through a solid Cincinnati defense.
65'- Modification in Inter Miami (3-2)
Sergio Reguilon was replaced by Facundo Mura.
63'- GOOOAAAAL FOR CINCINNATI!! (3-2)
Evander gives Cincinnati the lead with a powerful strike!!
FC Cincinnati and Inter Miami are already playing the second half!
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First half summary
The match began with little excitement at TQL Stadium, as neither side could create dangerous situations in the opening minutes. However, Inter Miami struck first through a very lucky goal by Lionel Messi, after the ball deflected off him following a pass from a defender and went straight into the back of the net.
Trailing on the scoreboard, the home side went in search of the equalizer and found it from the penalty spot. After a foul on Evander inside the box, striker Kevin Denkey took advantage to convert and pull his team level just minutes before halftime.
Halftime!
The game goes to halftime!
45'+3- Berterame almost scores! (1-1)
Berterame found the ball inside the Cincinnati box and nearly scored the second, but his shot went just wide of the post.
45'- Stoppage time (1-1)
The referee added four more minutes.
42'- Yellow card in Inter Miami (1-1)
Gonzalo Lujan received a yellow card.
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41'- GOOOAAAAL FOR CINCINNATI!! (1-1)
Denkey scores the equalizer from the penalty spot!
The hosts look rattled following Messi's goal and are pushing for the equalizer, though they are struggling to create real danger. So far, their clearest chances have only come via corner kicks.
26'- Nice try from Bucha! (0-1)
Cincinnati's Bucha tried with a long-rage shot, but his effort sailed over the crossbar.
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23'- GOOOOOAAAAL FOR INTER MIAMI!!! (0-1)
Lionel Messi scores the opener of the game!!
Right place, right time. 😉
Messi capitalizes on the clearance for his 10th goal of the season. 💥
Following a great collective play, Luis Suarez sent in a dangerous cross, but no Inter Miami player was able to connect with the ball.
17'- Fray almost scores! (0-0)
After a great corner from Messi, Fray connected with a header and nearly scored the first of the match, but it flew just over the crossbar.
15'- The ball belongs to Cincinnati now (0-0)
Now it is the home side controlling the ball, though they have yet to create any dangerous situations for Inter Miami.
10'- Inter Miami dominating at the start (0-0)
Inter Miami are controlling the ball during the opening minutes of the match, though we have yet to see a shot on goal from either team.
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5'- Goal disallowed for Inter Miami! (0-0)
Lionel Messi scored the opening goal of the match, but following the assist from Berterame, the Argentine was found to be in an offside position.
GAME ON!
The game between FC Cincinnati and Inter Miami is underway!
Players are on the pitch!
Players from both teams are on the field. Everything is ready for the start of the match!
TQL Stadium gives Inter Miami good memories
The last time Inter Miami visited TQL Stadium, they walked away with a massive victory that secured their place in the Eastern Conference Final. In that high-stakes encounter, the Herons crushed Cincinnati 4-0 in a masterclass performance, where goals from Lionel Messi, Mateo Silvetti and a brace from Tadeo Allende gave Miami the win.
Both teams doing warm up activities
Players for both sides have taken the field for warmups at TQL Stadium!
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Inter Miami lineup confirmed!
Miami's starting XI: St. Clair; Fray, Lujan, Silva, Reguilon; De Paul, Bright, Segovia; Messi; Berterame, Suarez.
Lionel Messi coming off a spectacular night in Toronto
Lionel Messi was the star in Inter Miami's 4-2 win vs Toronto FC, scoring one goal and giving two assists. Whit those numbers, Messi broke Sebastian Giovinco’s record to become the fastest player in league history to reach 100 direct goal contributions in the MLS regular season. While Giovinco needed 95 games to achieve this feat, the Argentine only needed just 65 regular-season appearances.
Today's referees
Alexis Da Silva has been appointed to officiate the clash between FC Cincinnati and Inter Miami. He will be joined on the field by Andrew Bigelow and Diego Blas, who are set to serve as the assistant referees.
Full officiating team:
Referee: Alexis Da Silva (USA)
Assistant Referee 1: Andrew Bigelow (USA)
Assistant Referee 2: Diego Blas (USA)
Fourth official: Marcos DeOliveira (USA)
VAR: Armando Villarreal (USA)
Kickoff time and where to watch
FC Cincinnati vs Inter Miami will get underway at TQL Stadium at 7:30 PM (ET).
FC Cincinnati and Inter Miami clash at MLS Matchday 13
Welcome to our live blog of the MLS! FC Cincinnati host Inter Miami at TQL Stadium, with the Herons looking for a win to keep pace with the league leaders.
Stay with us for all the action and minute-by-minute updates of this exciting game!
Gianni Taina is a bilingual journalist, fluent in English and Spanish, with a specialization in soccer, NBA, and tennis. He began his professional career in 2020 with Mundo Deportivo US, where he first established himself as a writer. Throughout his career, Gianni has covered major sports events such as the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the NBA Finals, and Grand Slam tournaments like the French Open. His ability to report on real-time events and perform well under pressure has made him a valuable member of a top-tier team of journalists. In 2024, he joined Bolavip US, bringing his expertise in soccer, NBA, and tennis to deliver original content while providing live coverage of important events.
