CINCINNATI — Inter Miami advanced to the MLS Eastern Conference final in dominant fashion, beating FC Cincinnati 4-0 behind another stellar performance from Lionel Messi, who had a goal and three assists and has now had a hand in all 12 of Miami’s playoff goals this season.
Miami will play in its first conference final next weekend as it continues to chase a first MLS Cup. It’ll host NYCFC, which took down the Supporters’ Shield-winning Philadelphia Union 1-0 in Sunday’s second match, thanks to a first-half goal from Maxi Moralez and some sensational goalkeeping from U.S. No. 1 Matt Freese.
Should Miami advance to MLS Cup, the game would be played in South Florida, as they Miami had a better regular season than all remaining Western Conference teams.
With Miami’s win, the legendary careers of Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets also continue for at least one more game. Both players announced they will retire at the end of this season.
Here are some key takeaways from another big night for Miami:
Messi dominance
Messi continues his incredible run of form at the business end of the season. He now has 11 goals and 11 assists in his last seven matches for Miami. He is averaging a goal contribution every 28.6 minutes. Even for his otherworldly standards, he’s on a heater.
Not for the first time this postseason, Messi scored a header to put Miami on the board in the first half.
Jordi Alba intercepted a bad pass from Nick Hagglund near midfield, played a pass into Messi and made an intelligent run to open space for Mateo Silvetti on the wing. Silvetti found Messi with an excellent cross.
LIONEL MESSI LOVES A BIG GAME. ✨
What a move to open the scoring! // Audi MLS Cup Playoffs pic.twitter.com/l0L3miaYYZ
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 23, 2025
Miami stamped out any chance of a Cincinnati comeback with two quick second half goals, both set up by Messi. Silvetti and Tadeo Allende were the scorers. Silvetti’s goal was a one-touch finish from a perfectly weighted Messi pass.
Advantage doubled for @InterMiamiCF! ⚡️
Perfect set-up from Messi, brilliant finish from Silvetti. // Audi MLS Cup Playoffs pic.twitter.com/YRKDSR1nU0
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 23, 2025
Then Allende was sent through for a 1-v-1 after Messi sprung him with a through ball. Messi won the ball from Evander to create that transition opportunity.
THREE FOR MIAMI. 😮
Messi to Allende & @InterMiamiCF are cruising. // Audi MLS Cup Playoffs pic.twitter.com/q58eAK70aP
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 23, 2025
The fourth goal was an inch-perfect trivela through ball from Messi to Allende.
Running riot in Cincy. 🔥
ANOTHER assist for Messi. ANOTHER finish from Allende. 4-0. // Audi MLS Cup Playoffs pic.twitter.com/wWhhbQIKhN
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 23, 2025
Benching Suárez
Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano made a huge decision before the game started: Luis Suárez would not be in the starting lineup.
Mascherano made the big call to leave Suárez on the bench after returning from suspension he served in Miami’s last match. Prior to Sunday, Suárez started 47 of his 48 appearances across all competitions this season.
Miami opted for Messi as a false nine with Allende and Silvetti as wingers alongside him. More fluidity and movement — both in and out of possession — over Suárez’s qualities.
That combination worked to perfection in Miami’s dominant closeout win over Nashville in Round One and on Sunday in Cincinnati.
Allende had two goals and an assist, while Silvetti had a goal and assist.
Suárez entered the game in the 76th minute, when it was already 4-0. It will be difficult for Mascherano to change the lineup for the conference final.
Luis Suárez started on the bench for Inter Miami at Cincinnati on Sunday. (Photo by Jeff Dean/Getty Images)
This system might be a look into Miami’s future, putting younger and more energetic players around Messi in the attack. Messi sits in the middle as a false nine, where he has complete freedom to drop deep or stay high. Get on the ball and create or wait to add the finishing touch.
Missed connection
FC Cincinnati’s season ends under some familiar concerns in attack. They created a few chances early, but didn’t capitalize. As the game went on, they struggled to make a mark in the attacking third.
Star attackers Evander and Kévin Denkey have rarely been on the same page all season. Both are individually excellent, but struggled to form a dynamic connection.
Denkey completed two passes to Evander. Evander completed just one pass to Denkey.
Both went cold this postseason. Evander had no goals and one assist in four playoff games, while Denkey had one goal and no assists.
Cincy heads into an uncertain offseason and big questions of how to best solve their attacking woes will be at the top of mind.
Brenner’s loan expires this winter, while Miles Robinson will become a Designated Player in 2026. Fellow DPs Evander and Denkey are firmly expected back, meaning the club has limited salary cap resources to make key improvements.