Messi Shatters Record as Inter Miami Crushes FC Cincinnati 4-0 to Reach MLS Cup Final

On a chilly November evening in Cincinnati, Lionel Messi didn’t just play soccer—he rewrote history. With a goal and three assists in Inter Miami CF’s 4-0 demolition of FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium on November 23, 2025, Messi became the first player in Major League Soccer history to record 12 goal contributions in a single postseason—6 goals, 6 assists. The win wasn’t just a victory; it was a statement. Inter Miami, once dismissed as a celebrity project, is now one game away from hosting the MLS Cup presented by AudiDecember 6, 2025.

The Turning Point: From Regular Season Struggles to Playoff Domination

Just months earlier, Inter Miami had been humiliated by FC Cincinnati. In July, they lost 3-0 in Cincinnati, with Messi sitting out. In August, they drew 0-0 at home, missing both Messi and Jordi Alba. Critics pointed to those results as proof the team couldn’t win without its superstar. But Sunday’s match flipped the script entirely. This wasn’t a fluke. It was a reckoning.

Messi’s opening goal in the 19th minute— a bouncing header off a slick one-two with 19-year-old Mateo Silvetti—wasn’t just his first goal against Cincinnati. It was the moment the entire stadium stopped breathing. Fans who’d once cheered for the Orange & Blue now sat in stunned silence. By the 57th minute, when Messi returned the favor with a perfectly weighted cross to Silvetti’s left-footed rocket into the bottom corner, the game was effectively over.

The Supporting Cast Steps Up

While Messi was the star, he wasn’t alone. Tadeo Allende, the 22-year-old Argentine forward, turned in a breakout performance with two goals—both set up by Messi. His 62nd-minute strike came after a darting run into the box, and his 74th-minute finish was pure instinct, pouncing on a rebound from a Messi free kick. The synergy between Messi and the young Argentine contingent was electric. It wasn’t just about skill—it was about chemistry built in training, not just in headlines.

Even Luis Suárez, who’d missed the previous playoff game due to suspension, made a late cameo, injecting veteran presence as Inter Miami managed the clock. Goalkeeper Roman Celentano, FC Cincinnati’s standout performer all season, was left helpless. Four goals. Zero saves that mattered. The numbers told the story: 14 shots apiece, but Inter Miami had 6 on target to Cincinnati’s 5. Possession? 51-49. But control? Total.

Why This Matters Beyond the Scoreline

For Inter Miami CF, this wasn’t just about reaching the Eastern Conference Final—it was about legitimacy. They’ve scored three or more goals in nine of their last 11 games. Messi has 15 goals in that stretch. This team isn’t just riding a wave; they’re building a dynasty. And now, they’re one win from hosting the final. The last time an MLS team hosted the Cup final after finishing lower than third in their conference? 2015. This team is rewriting the rules.

Meanwhile, FC Cincinnati’s story remains one of near-misses. Despite signing Evander and Kévin Denkey—two of the league’s most dangerous attackers in 2025—they’ve now lost at home in the playoffs for the third straight year. Their regular-season success, with 61 points and the Eastern Conference’s second-best record, means nothing if they can’t close the deal. The frustration was palpable in the locker room. One veteran defender told reporters, “We knew they’d be dangerous. We just didn’t think they’d be this clinical.”

What’s Next: The Road to MLS Cup

Inter Miami will face either the Supporters’ Shield-winning Philadelphia Union or New York City FC in the Eastern Conference Final on November 30 or December 1. If they win, they’ll host the final on December 6—a massive advantage in a league where home-field advantage can be the difference between glory and heartbreak.

On the Western side, Vancouver Whitecaps FC advanced on penalties after defeating LAFC, while San Diego FC and Minnesota United FC face off in their semifinal. The winner will travel east to face Inter Miami.

A Legacy in Motion

Messi, now 38, has played 12 professional seasons in Europe’s elite leagues. He’s won Ballon d’Ors, Champions Leagues, and World Cups. But this? This is different. In MLS, he’s not just a global icon. He’s a catalyst. He’s elevating a league, a city, a team. And he’s doing it in ways no one expected. As Bleacher Report’s Timothy Rapp wrote: “It’s hard to separate Inter Miami’s dominance on Sunday from Messi’s extraordinary play.”

The record books will say he set a new MLS playoff record. But the people who were there will remember the silence when he scored. The way the stadium turned from partisan to reverent. The moment a man who’d already conquered the world decided to rewrite American soccer’s story.