Lionel Messi could not score for the first time since arriving in the United States but the Argentine played an impactful role in guiding Inter Miami to a thrilling victory. Messi came up with two vital assists and converted a spot kick in penalty shootout as Inter Miami defeated FC Cincinnati to reach the final of the Open Cup on Wednesday night. Following the semi-final, Messi was seen swapping shirts with his fellow countryman and Cincinnati midfielder Luciano Acosta. The Cincinnati player did not forget to give a tight hug to Messi.
But it was not only FC Cincinnati captain Acosta who had wanted to secure MessiтАЩs shirt. CincinnatiтАЩs Argentine winger Alvaro Barreal had also expressed his desire to get MessiтАЩs jersey. тАЬIf I have the chance, IтАЩll ask him [Messi] too. ItтАЩs a dream for me, HeтАЩs an idol. HeтАЩs the captain, so weтАЩre going to respect him, but obviously, IтАЩm going to ask him for it. WeтАЩll see who takes it,тАЭ Barreal was quoted as saying by AS before the match against Inter Miami.
Acosta, on the other hand, also seemed excited with the prospect of having Lionel MessiтАЩs jersey. тАЬHe [Lionel Messi] has two, one for the first half and one for the second half. In the tunnel, IтАЩm going to ask him for it. I havenтАЩt spoken to him yet but IтАЩm going to send a little message to see if I can guarantee it. It would be the first shirt of his that IтАЩll have,тАЭ Acosta said.
Luciano Acosta has been a part of FC Cincinnati since 2021. The 29-year-old is the second-highest goal-scorer in the Major League Soccer (MLS) this season with 12 strikes under his belt. Acosta scored the first goal of the night during the Open Cup fixture against Inter Miami. Acosta netted his 14th goal across all competitions this season with a header from Gabonese striker Aaron Boupendza. Cincinnati striker Brandon Vazquez scored the second goal of the game in the 53rd minute.
Lionel Messi provided the first assist of the match from a free kick in the 68th minute to bring Inter MiamiтАЩs deficit down to one goal. It was Leonardo Campana who found the back of the net for the Herons. Messi came up with his second assist in the dying minutes to help Campana complete his brace. CampanaтАЩs second goal of the night forced the semi-final tie to move into overtime.
Inter Miami led for the first time in the game when Josef Mart├нnez scored three minutes into the first half of the extra time. MiamiтАЩs lead, however, did not last long as Cincinnati midfielder Yuya Kubo scored in the 114th minute to enforce penalty kicks.
Lionel Messi made Inter MiamiтАЩs first attempt in the shootout and the Argentine World Cup-winning skipper made no mistake in earning a lead for his side. Inter Miami, ultimately, prevailed 5-4 in penalties over Cincinnati to book their spot in the summit clash.
