Inter Miami vs. FC Cincinnati, Inter Miami Win Dramatically and Qualify for Final
In an incredible and arguably dramatic match, "Inter Miami vs. FC Cincinnati", Inter Miami won dramatically and qualified for the final at the 2023 US Open Cup. Inter Miami beat FC Cincinnati on penalties 5-4, after a 3-3 draw in 120 minutes.
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| Lionel Messi celebrates after setting up Leonardo Campana's second goal for Inter Miami against FC Cincinnati (Photo: espn.com) |
Competing at TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, Miami came with the status of Leagues Cup champions. However, Cincinnati looked so prepared to face him in the semifinals.
The course of the match "Inter Miami vs. FC Cincinnati"
Pat Noonan's team can make Miami troublesome from the start. Messi and their friends were not given space to press until finally, the host got a goal first.
In the 18th minute, Luciano Acosta put FC Cincinnati 1-0 ahead. His left-footed shot, taking advantage of Aaron Boupendza's header pass, tore through Inter Miami's goal.
Miami tried to retaliate. Three minutes later, Messi created an attack that almost led to a goal. Through a neat attack, Messi's pass could be completed with Diego Gomez's right-footed shot, but the ball could still be secured by the opposing goalkeeper.
Also, read: Al Nassr Vs Shabab Al Ahli: 4-2.
Miami practically struggled in the first half. Until the break, no counter-goal was scored.
In the second half, Miami conceded again. This time Cincinnati's counterattack can make the opponent's goal tremble again. Santiago Arias' pass could have been completed sweetly by Brandon Vazquez. The score became 2-0, Inter Miami fell behind.
Miami is getting harder and harder to catch up with Cincinnati. Several times the hosts had chances to add goals, but a hurried finishing broke it up.
In the 68th minute, Miami could reduce the deficit. Leonardo Campana could have completed Messi's pass, in a free-kick scheme, into a goal. The score became 1-2, Miami still trailed.
Until entering the final minutes, Miami still had difficulty replying. In the end, the equalizing goal was born in injury time.
Leonardo Campana scored his second goal in the 90+7th minute. Lionel Messi contributed by making a brilliant assist into the heart of the Cincinnati defense, which Campana could exploit into a goal with a header. The score became 2-2. The match went to extra time.
In time, Miami directly reversed the embassy. Josef Martinez broke the Cincinnati goal in the 93rd minute.
Receiving Benjamin Cremaschi's pass, Martinez fired a flat shot in the penalty area and sent the ball into Alec Kann's goal. The score became 3-2, and Miami turned in the lead.
Ahead of the end of the first half of extra time, Cincinnati almost equalized the score. In a corner situation, Santiago Arias' header hit the bar. The Pokeball then ended in a meltdown, and Nick Hagglund's kick was seen hitting Jordi Alba's hand. Cincinnati players protested the penalty, but the referee ignored it. The first half of extra time ended, Miami was 3-2 ahead.
The second half was held, and Cincinnati appeared to attack to catch up. The equalizing goal was finally obtained in the 114th minute, through Yuya Kubo's kick. The Japanese player's fierce shot tore through Drake Callender's goal and changed the score to 3-3 until extra time was up.
In the penalty shootout, Inter Miami finally led 5-4, after one FC Cincinnati kicker, Nick Hagglund, failed to put the ball in due to Drake Callender's anticipation. Lionel Messi et al also got tickets to the 2023 US Open Cup final. Miami is just waiting for the winner of Houston Dynamo FC vs. Real Salt Lake in the summit match.
"Inter Miami vs. FC Cincinnati" Lineup
FC Cincinnati: Alec Kann, Nick Hagglund, Matt Miazga, Ian Murphy, Santiago Arias, Obinna Nwobodo, Junior Moreno, Alvaro Barreal, Luciano Acosta, Aaron Boupendza, Brandon Vazquez
Inter Miami: Drake Callender, Jordi Alba, Kamal Miller, Tomas Agustin Aviles, Sergey Krivtsov, DeAndre Yedlin, Jean Mota, Sergio Busquets, Diego Gomez, Leonardo Campana, Lionel Messi