MIAMI — Lionel Messi scored once and provided three assists as Inter Miami beat FC Cincinnati 4-0 in the Eastern Conference semifinal to reach the MLS Cup final for the first time.
The Argentine star’s goal-and-assists performance lifted Miami to the championship match. The win at Cincinnati’s stadium could be called an Argentine showcase, as every goal and assist came from Argentine players. Winger Tadeo Allende scored twice, while Mateo Silvetti added a goal and an assist.
Miami went ahead in the 19th minute when Messi headed in to put Javier Mascherano’s side in front. The goal took Messi to 35 MLS goals this season, with 11 in his last eight matches. Miami led at the break.
Silvetti doubled the lead in the 57th minute. Allende all but sealed the win in the 62nd minute, finishing into the lower-left corner after a pinpoint through-ball from Messi on a quick counterattack. The 26-year-old winger added another in the 74th minute to make it 4-0.
With three assists in the match, Messi became the joint all-time leader in football for career assists, reaching 404 to tie Ferenc Puskas. One more assist will see him pass Puskas. The record eight-time Ballon d’Or winner now has 25 assists in the league this season.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report