FC Cincinnati 0-4 Inter Miami: Four goal involvements for Messi in Conference semifinal rout
Lionel Messi had four goal involvements as Inter Miami crushed FC Cincinnati to tee up a meeting with New York City in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
Lionel Messi scored one goal and assisted three more as Inter Miami reached the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in their history, thrashing FC Cincinnati 4-0.
Miami will take on New York City on November 29 for a place in the MLS Cup final after breezing through Sunday's Eastern Conference semifinal tie at TQL Stadium.
Evander skewed an early half-volley over the crossbar for the hosts, but from the 19th minute onwards, it was all about Messi.
He picked out fellow Argentine Mateo Silvetti on the left flank before continuing his run into the penalty area and meeting his cross with a downward header past Roman Celentano.
Ender Echenique missed a good chance for a swift Cincinnati equaliser, then Messi pulled a left-footed effort wide of the far post, but he had his first assist of the game 11 minutes into the second half, offloading for Silvetti to curl home.
Messi then slipped Tadeo Allende in with a pinpoint pass just five minutes later and he made no mistake one-v-one, while the same duo would combine for Miami's fourth goal.
Messi played a sensational ball in behind with the outside of his left boot in the 74th minute, with Allende finding the opposite corner on this occasion to cap the scoring.
The Barcelona icon should have had a fifth goal involvement late on when another defence-splitting pass put Rodrigo De Paul through, but his weak attempt was smothered by Celentano, on a day when Miami sent out a signal of their intent.
Data Debrief: More history for Messi
Messi's remarkable showing here saw him set the all-time MLS record for combined goals and assists in a single postseason, with 12.
The Argentine created eight chances for team-mates in Sunday's game, at least five more than any other player on the pitch.
Only two players have created more in an MLS game this season – Cristian Espinoza for the San Jose Earthquakes versus Charlotte FC in March (11) and Conrad Wallem for St. Louis City against FC Dallas in September (10).
Messi racked up 0.88 expected assists (xA) as Miami put up a tally of 2.98 expected goals (xG) from 14 shots, with Cincinnati having as many attempts but only 0.88 xG.
