Lionel Messi had a goal and three assists and Tadeo Allende scored twice as Inter Miami beat FC Cincinnati 4-0 Sunday to advance to the Eastern Conference finals.Miami will take on the winner of Sunday’s other conference semifinal between the Philadelphia Union and New York City FC.Messi set an MLS playoff record with 12 goal contributions (six goals, six assists).Cincinnati had the second-best overall record in MLS behind Philadelphia after winning the Supporters Shield last season. Cincinnati lost to the Columbus Crew in last year’s conference finals.Messi had been scoreless in three matches against Cincinnati, but that streak ended in the 19th minute Sunday when he headed a short cross from Mateo Silvetti, giving Miami a 1-0 lead. Messi, a World Cup champion with Argentina and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, had his 11th goal in the last seven games.The latest: Sports coverage from WPBF 25 NewsNine minutes after scoring, Messi found himself alone with the keeper, but his shot toward the far post sailed wide.Cincinnati’s best scoring chance came in the first half when Ender Echenique sent a header across the box to Evander, who shot over the bar.Get the latest sports updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.Miami had seven shots on goal to Cincinnati’s four.Miami made it a two-goal lead 10 minutes into the second half when Silvetti beat Cincinnati keeper Roman Celentano with a shot from the left side of the box.In the 62nd minute, Messi threaded a pass through the defense to Allende, who made it 3-0. Allende scored again in the 74th minute.Cincinnati beat Miami 3-0 at home on July 16, and played to a scoreless draw at Fort Lauderdale on July 26. Messi was in the lineup for the first meeting, but not the second.
CINCINNATI —
Lionel Messi had a goal and three assists and Tadeo Allende scored twice as Inter Miami beat FC Cincinnati 4-0 Sunday to advance to the Eastern Conference finals.
Miami will take on the winner of Sunday’s other conference semifinal between the Philadelphia Union and New York City FC.
Messi set an MLS playoff record with 12 goal contributions (six goals, six assists).
Cincinnati had the second-best overall record in MLS behind Philadelphia after winning the Supporters Shield last season. Cincinnati lost to the Columbus Crew in last year’s conference finals.
Messi had been scoreless in three matches against Cincinnati, but that streak ended in the 19th minute Sunday when he headed a short cross from Mateo Silvetti, giving Miami a 1-0 lead. Messi, a World Cup champion with Argentina and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, had his 11th goal in the last seven games.
The latest: Sports coverage from WPBF 25 News
Getty ImagesChris Carter
CINCINNATI, OHIO – NOVEMBER 23: Tadeo Allende #21 of Inter Miami CF scores the team’s fourth goal during the Conference Semifinal match between FC Cincinnati and Inter Miami FC as part of the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs at TQL Stadium on November 23, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Chris Carter/Getty Images)
Nine minutes after scoring, Messi found himself alone with the keeper, but his shot toward the far post sailed wide.
Cincinnati’s best scoring chance came in the first half when Ender Echenique sent a header across the box to Evander, who shot over the bar.
Get the latest sports updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.
Getty ImagesJeff Dean
CINCINNATI, OHIO – NOVEMBER 23: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF controls the ball during the Conference Semifinal match between FC Cincinnati and Inter Miami FC as part of the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs at TQL Stadium on November 23, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jeff Dean/Getty Images)
Miami had seven shots on goal to Cincinnati’s four.
Miami made it a two-goal lead 10 minutes into the second half when Silvetti beat Cincinnati keeper Roman Celentano with a shot from the left side of the box.
In the 62nd minute, Messi threaded a pass through the defense to Allende, who made it 3-0. Allende scored again in the 74th minute.
Getty ImagesChris Carter
CINCINNATI, OHIO – NOVEMBER 23: Tadeo Allende #21 of Inter Miami CF celebrates after scoring the team’s fourth goal with teammates Lionel Messi #10 and Mateo Silvetti #24 during the Conference Semifinal match between FC Cincinnati and Inter Miami FC as part of the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs at TQL Stadium on November 23, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Chris Carter/Getty Images)
Cincinnati beat Miami 3-0 at home on July 16, and played to a scoreless draw at Fort Lauderdale on July 26. Messi was in the lineup for the first meeting, but not the second.