Messi double as Inter Miami beat Cincinnati 5-3, extend away streak

Lionel Messi scored twice and added an assist as Inter Miami defeated FC Cincinnati 5-3 at TQL Stadium on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, in Major League Soccer. The visitors overturned a second-half deficit to secure their fifth straight MLS road win and seventh consecutive away victory across all competitions. Cincinnati’s six-match unbeaten run ended as defensive errors again proved costly.

Messi opened the scoring in the 24th minute by pressuring center back Matt Miazga, whose wayward pass deflected off the Argentine and rolled into an open net. The captain struck again in the 55th minute, meeting a Rodrigo de Paul cross at the penalty spot after combination play that also involved Luis Suarez, to level the match at 2-2.

Cincinnati found goals through Kevin Denkey, Pavel Bucha and Evander, with Evander’s excellent 64th-minute finish putting the hosts ahead 3-2. Miami responded late: Mateo Silvetti equalized at 3-3 in the 79th minute and German Berterame made it 4-3 five minutes later after a mix-up in the Cincinnati area.

Messi nearly capped a hat-trick in the 89th minute when he slid onto a Silvetti cross and struck the inside of the right post. The rebound deflected off goalkeeper Roman Celentano and crossed the line, ultimately going down as an own goal to complete Miami’s scoring.

Late rally turns the match

Silvetti and Berterame deliver decisive blows

Silvetti’s equalizer arrived after Messi picked off a turnover high up the pitch and fed the 20-year-old on the left side of the box. Silvetti cut inside and guided a low finish through traffic into the bottom-right corner. Five minutes later, Berterame struck what proved the winner from close range after Celentano spilled a diagonal Messi free kick under contact with defender Andrei Chirila.

Messi and Silvetti both recorded assists during the comeback, while de Paul finished with two assists on the night. Miami again punished Cincinnati’s mistakes, mirroring last season’s postseason clash, when the Florida side won 4-0 in the 2025 Eastern Conference semifinals at the same venue.

Form guide and defensive concerns

Miami’s momentum, Cincinnati’s recurring issues

The victory moved Miami to 7-2-4 for 25 points, underscoring a strong start that has been fueled by efficient finishing and improved road form. Cincinnati slipped to 4-5-4 on 16 points and conceded three or more goals for the fifth time in nine matches, highlighting a trend that has undercut their otherwise competitive stretches.

Denkey also registered two assists for the hosts, whose attacking output was not enough to offset costly lapses at the back. For Miami, the front line’s chemistry — with Messi at the center — again proved decisive in key moments.

Miami will look to build on their away streak, while Cincinnati aim to reset defensively before their next league assignment.