Inter Miami advanced to the US Open Cup semi-finals thanks to two great assists from Lionel Messi.
The World Cup winner has yet to lose a game since joining the Jorge Mas and David Beckham co-owned team in the United States.
The Miami Heat had been on a tear since signing the Argentine to a two-and-a-half-year contract in July.
Seven consecutive victories, including the first League Cup victory in their team’s history, signified a fantastic start to life with Messi on their team.
When Messi’s team met FC Cincinnati in the US Open Cup semi-finals, they did not appear to be up to scratch.
After playing Nashville in the Leagues Cup final four days earlier, it was a rapid turnaround.
Cincinnati gained the lead in the first half thanks to Luciano Acosta and dominated the rest of the game.
Brandon Vazquez doubled their lead in the 53rd minute, and Miami appeared to be out of the cup.
Messi, as he has so many times before, went all out to get his team back into the game.
Miami was handed a free kick in the 68th minute, and the Argentinian stepped up to whip in a wonderful pass that reached Leonardo Campana’s head and into the goal.
Cincinnati appeared to be on track for a massive win, but Messi had other ideas.
To equalize for Miami, the former Barcelona player grabbed the ball roughly 35 yards from goal and fired a beautiful ball over the top and into the head of Campana.
The equalizer occurred in the 97th minute, forcing extra time in the semi-final.