Lionel Messi’s impressive run of scoring two goals in five straight Major League Soccer games came to an end on Wednesday. His team, Inter Miami, lost 3-0 to FC Cincinnati and couldn’t score any goals.
The 38-year-old Argentine star had been in great form, scoring two goals in each of the last five matches, helping Miami earn four wins and one draw. That gave him a total of 16 goals this season.
It was the first time since 2012, during his Barcelona days, that Messi had scored two or more goals in five games in a row.
However, in this match, Cincinnati’s defense was strong and allowed Miami only two shots on target.
Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano admitted that his team was outplayed right from the start of the match. He said it was hard for his players to win one-on-one battles, possibly because they were physically tired after a busy schedule, which affected their performance in the end. Mascherano also mentioned that Messi took a small hit late in the game but finished without serious problems.
“We didn’t play the way we wanted,” said Mascherano. “They kept us under pressure the whole time. We weren’t sharp or energetic, and they clearly beat us.”
After the loss, Inter Miami now has 11 wins, 4 losses, and 5 draws, with 38 points. They are in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, trailing first-place Philadelphia by 8 points. Philadelphia leads the entire MLS standings after beating Montreal, staying just ahead of Cincinnati.
Miami still has three extra games to play compared to both teams, but they need to win all of them to move ahead in the standings.
“The other team was better than us from the beginning to the end,” Mascherano added. “The score and the way we lost are worrying. Now, we need to rest and prepare for the next match.”
Their next game is on Saturday against the New York Red Bulls, who just beat New England 5-3 with two goals each from Cameroon’s Eric Choupo-Moting and Sweden’s Emil Forsberg.
FAQ
What happened in the match between Cincinnati and Inter Miami?
FC Cincinnati dominated the game and defeated Inter Miami, ending Lionel Messi’s recent goal-scoring streak in Major League Soccer.
What was the final score of the match?
The exact score isn’t mentioned in the title, but Cincinnati won convincingly, showing their strength as league leaders.
How long was Messi’s goal streak before this match?
Messi had been scoring in multiple consecutive matches, building an impressive streak before Cincinnati put an end to it.
Why is this win significant for Cincinnati?
Beating a high-profile team like Inter Miami, especially with Messi in the squad, reinforces Cincinnati’s position as the top MLS team.
Did Messi play the full match?
Yes, Messi played, but despite his presence, Cincinnati’s defense was able to keep him off the scoresheet.
