Lionel Messi’s two magnificent assists forced Inter Miami into extra time in the US Open Cup quarterfinals.
The World Cup winner has not lost a game since arriving in the United States as part of the club co-owned by Jorge Mas and David Beckham.
The Miami team had been on an incredible run since the Argentine joined them in July on a two-and-a-half-year deal.
Seven consecutive victories, including the first League Cup victory in franchise history, represented a fantastic start in life with Messi at the helm.
Before facing FC Cincinnati in the US Open Cup semifinal, Messi’s team did not look bright.
It was a quick change after playing Nashville in the Leagues Cup final four days earlier.
Cincinnati took the lead early on thanks to Luciano Acosta, and after that they maintained a reasonably strong presence.
They seemed to be eliminating Miami from the cup with a second goal from Brandon Vázquez in the 53rd minute.
Messi, as he has done so many times before, did everything possible to get his team back into the game.
Miami received a free kick in the 68th minute, and the Argentinean stepped up to fire a fantastic shot that hit Leonardo Campana’s head and into the net.
Cincinnati seemed to be on its way to a big win, but Messi had other ideas.
To tie the game, the former Barcelona star sent a wonderful ball over and back to Campana’s head from approximately 35 yards.
When the equalizer was scored in the 97th minute, the match went into extra time.
