FC Cincinnati and Inter Miami were locked in a tense 1-1 standoff on May 14, 2026, at the TQL Stadium, with star player Lionel Messi finding the net for the visitors. The match, part of MLS Matchday 13, saw both teams exchange blows, with Cincinnati clawing back to equalize after Miami initially took the lead.
== The match remained level at halftime, following goals from both Messi and Cincinnati's Kevin Denkey, who converted from the penalty spot. This fixture marked an anticipated clash between Messi and Cincinnati's Evander, with Miami seeking a fifth consecutive away win.
Tactical Setups and Early Exchanges
Miami deployed a 4-3-3 formation, while Cincinnati opted for a 3-5-2 shape. Early in the game, Messi’s sharp play to win possession led to Inter Miami's opening goal. The intensity of the contest was evident, with Gonzalo Lujan of Inter Miami receiving a yellow card in the 42nd minute.
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Messi's Contribution and Offside Call
Messi’s goal marked a significant moment, though an earlier strike by the Argentine was disallowed for offside. The pass from Germán Berterame to Messi was deemed to have arrived a fraction too late. This particular encounter at TQL Stadium held historical weight for Inter Miami, recalling a previous significant victory that propelled them to the Eastern Conference Final.
Player Performance and League Standing
Across 11 MLS appearances this season, Messi has accumulated 9 goals and 4 assists, placing him just one shy of the league's leading scorer. Other players in focus included Cincinnati's Miles Robinson, a two-time MLS All-Star returning from injury and vying for a USMNT World Cup spot, and Ecuadorian winger Bryan Ramírez, who has started every game in his debut MLS season and is also eyeing a World Cup roster berth. Pavel Bucha's potential World Cup inclusion was also a point of discussion.
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Historical Context
This encounter comes after a notable past fixture where Inter Miami routed FC Cincinnati 4-0 in November 2025, with Messi scoring once and assisting the other three goals. In contrast, in July 2025, FC Cincinnati secured a 3-0 victory over Inter Miami, ending Messi's streak of scoring multiple goals in consecutive games. That match saw goals from Gerardo Valenzuela and a brace from Evander, marking a rare occasion where Messi failed to register more than one goal, thus concluding his five-game scoring streak. Cincinnati's goalkeeper Celentano had a strong performance in that July game, recording his seventh clean sheet of the season.
