CINCINNATI \u2013 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.<\/p>\n
Miami will take on the winner of Sunday’s other conference semifinal between the Philadelphia Union and New York City FC.<\/p>\n
Messi set an MLS playoff record with 12 goal contributions (six goals, six assists). <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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\u2019Or winner, had his 11th goal in the last seven games.<\/p>\n
Nine minutes after scoring, Messi found himself alone with the keeper, but his shot toward the far post sailed wide. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
Miami had seven shots on goal to Cincinnati’s four. <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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