Lionel Messi's return spoiled as Inter Miami dumped out of MLS Playoff contention by FC Cincinnati
Lionel Messi's return for Inter Miami was spoiled by FC Cincinnati as their MLS Playoff hopes were dashed on Saturday following a 1-0 loss in Florida. Messi failed to capitalize on many opportunities during the clash.
In Short
- Alvaro Barreal found the back of the net for Cincinnati in the 78th minute
- Messi came on as a substitute in the 55th minute
- Miami, with a record of 9 wins, 17 losses, and 6 draws, saw their playoff dreams dashed
Lionel Messi's return to field failed to spark a turnaround for Inter Miami as their MLS playoffs dreams came to an end as they lost to FC Cinncinati.
On a rainy Saturday night in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the match's pivotal moment came in the 78th minute when Alvaro Barreal found the back of the net for Cincinnati, marking his fifth goal of the season.
Despite the return of Messi, who had been sidelined since September 20 due to a reaggravated scar tissue injury in his leg, Inter Miami couldn't turn the tide in their favor.
Miami, with a record of 9 wins, 17 losses, and 6 draws, totaling 33 points, saw their playoff dreams dashed due to this loss and a concurrent win by CF Montreal over the Portland Timbers.
Messi, who entered the game as a substitute in the 55th minute, was unable to capitalize on several opportunities in Cincinnati's half.
FC Cincinnati, boasting an impressive record of 20 wins, 5 losses, and 8 draws, accumulating 68 points, continued their stellar season. They had already secured the Supporters' Shield, an accolade awarded to the team with the best regular-season record in the league.
The match saw Roman Celentano, Cincinnati's goalkeeper, make two crucial saves, while his counterpart from Miami, Drake Callender, made five. Despite controlling 61.6% of the game's possession and making 16 shot attempts, Inter Miami only managed to get two on target.
In the first half, Inter Miami dominated play and hit the woodwork thrice. Tomas Aviles struck the crossbar directly from the center of the box, Josef Martinez's shot pinged off the far post, and Benjamin Cremaschi's attempt also hit the crossbar before the first half ended without any goals.
Messi, who replaced Aviles, quickly earned a free kick in a scoring position in the 59th minute but sent his attempt soaring over the crossbar. In the 87th minute, Messi managed a left-footed shot amidst some traffic, but it rolled past the net and out of play. Towards the end of the match, Messi drew two fouls near the box, one in the 90th minute and another during stoppage time. However, his attempts to convert these opportunities into goals were unsuccessful, with Cincinnati clearing his first free kick and his second shot sailing over the bar.