Lionel Messi scored a goal and provided three assists to become the first player in the history of football to record 1300 goal contributions.
Messi now has 896 goals and 404 assists in 1134 matches and also
set an MLS playoff record with 12 goal contributions (six goals and six assists).
How Inter Miami Beat FC Cincinnati?
Tadeo Allende netted twice as Inter Miami triumphed over FC Cincinnati 4-0 on Sunday to reach their first Eastern Conference final.
Miami will face the winner of the other conference semifinal between the Philadelphia Union and New York City FC, held later on Sunday.
Cincinnati, who had the second-best overall record in MLS behind Philadelphia after winning the Supporters Shield last season, lost to the Columbus Crew in last year’s conference finals.
Messi had not scored in three matches against Cincinnati, but that streak ended in the 19th minute on 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, scored his 11th goal in the last seven games.
Nine minutes after scoring, Messi found himself alone with the keeper, but his shot towards the far post went 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.
Miami had seven shots on goal compared to Cincinnati’s four.
Miami extended their lead to 2-0 ten minutes into the second half when Silvetti beat Cincinnati keeper Roman Celentano with a shot from the left side of the box.
Silvetti replaced Luis Suarez, who was suspended from Miami’s previous playoff match against Nashville due to violent conduct. Mascherano chose to keep him out of the lineup on Sunday.
In the 62nd minute, Messi threaded a pass through the defence to Allende, who made it 3-0. Allende scored again in the 74th minute.
(With inputs from Agencies)
