Messi's perfectly placed pass to his teammate narrowed the gap to 1-2 (Clip: Inter Miami)
In the 2023 US Open semi-final, Inter Miami will travel to Cincinnati, the team currently leading the MLS standings this season.
After 120 minutes of dramatic play with six goals scored, Inter Miami and Cincinnati went to a penalty shootout to decide the winner. Messi successfully converted his first penalty for the visiting team. After four rounds of penalties tied 4-4, in the final round, goalkeeper Drake Callender saved Nick Hagglung's penalty, and Benjamin Cremaschi successfully converted his last penalty, giving Inter Miami a 5-4 victory.
In the opening minutes, both teams played cautiously, and only one goal was scored in the 18th minute. In the second half, fans witnessed a dramatic match with one goal from the home team and two comeback goals assisted by Messi. After 90 minutes of play without a winner, both teams went into extra time, and Inter Miami, in high spirits, quickly took a 3-2 lead in the 93rd minute.
Messi's assist helped Inter Miami equalize 2-2 (Clip: Inter Miami)
In the 68th minute, from a free kick on the left wing, Messi delivered a perfect pass for Campana to head the ball into the net. In the 90+7th minute, Inter Miami equalized, Campana scoring his second goal of the match, with Messi providing the assist from midfield. After 90 minutes of regulation time, the two teams went into extra time with the score tied 2-2.
Messi provided two assists to help Inter Miami equalize 2-2 in the 90 minutes of regular time.
In extra time, Martinez, brought on in peak physical condition, helped Inter Miami take the lead for the first time in the 93rd minute. Leading 3-2, Inter Miami couldn't maintain their advantage and conceded an equalizer in the 114th minute, sending the game to a penalty shootout which Messi and his teammates won.
With their victory in the semi-finals, Inter Miami advanced to the US Open final on September 27th. Messi and his teammates will face the winner of the match between Houston Dynamo and Salt Lake.
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