Lionel Messi scored twice and provided an assist as Inter Miami came from behind to beat FC Cincinnati 5-3 in a dramatic Major League Soccer match.Miami trailed until the 78th minute but produced a stunning late comeback, with Mateo Silvetti, Germán Berterame and a Roman Celentano own goal completing the victory. Messi opened the scoring in the 24th minute after Cincinnati defender Matt Miazga failed to clear Rodrigo De Paul’s pass, leaving the Argentine forward with only the goalkeeper to beat. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner made no mistake, calmly sending the ball into the net.

FC Cincinnati equalised late in the first half through Kevin Denkey’s penalty before Pavel Bucha put the hosts ahead in the 49th minute.

Messi brought Miami level in the 55th minute, finishing with a precise left-footed strike inside the box after another pass from De Paul.

The match became more dramatic after Cincinnati midfielder Evander Ferreira restored the home side’s lead in the 64th minute with a powerful long-range effort.

Miami responded strongly in the final stages. In the 79th minute, Messi set up Silvetti, who beat two defenders before scoring with a low shot to make it 3-3.

Five minutes later, Berterame put Miami ahead after Cincinnati goalkeeper Celentano failed to deal with a Messi free-kick and collided with his own defender. The ball fell to Berterame, who finished from close range.

Miami’s fifth goal came in the 89th minute when Messi’s shot was heading towards goal and Celentano, trying to stop it, turned the ball into his own net.

The win lifted Inter Miami to second place in the Eastern Conference with 25 points from 13 matches. Nashville SC remain top with 27 points from 12 games.

Messi’s latest performance comes less than a month before the World Cup, underlining his strong form for both Inter Miami and Argentina.

Source: Agencies