Messi Inspires Inter Miami Comeback in 5-3 Thriller Against Cincinnati

Key facts

• Inter Miami defeated FC Cincinnati 5-3 in a road match on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.
• Lionel Messi scored two goals and provided an assist in the victory.
• Mateo Silvetti and Germán Berterame also scored for Inter Miami.
• Kévin Denkey, Pavel Bucha, and Evander scored for FC Cincinnati.
• Inter Miami's win extended their road winning streak to seven matches.
• The victory tied Inter Miami with FC Cincinnati for the most points through the opening nine road games of an MLS regular season (22).

A Dramatic Comeback in Cincinnati

Inter Miami CF secured a thrilling 5-3 comeback victory on the road against FC Cincinnati on Wednesday night, May 13, 2026, at TQL Stadium. The match, which featured multiple lead changes, saw the visitors fall behind twice before mounting a decisive late surge. Captain Leo Messi was instrumental in the win, scoring two goals and contributing to another, as Inter Miami collected three crucial points. The victory continued Inter Miami's impressive form away from home, extending their road winning streak to seven matches. This performance also saw them tie FC Cincinnati for the most points accumulated through the first nine road games of an MLS regular season, with 22 points. Head coach Guillermo Hoyos praised his team's extraordinary effort, stating, "They shined on a difficult field against a very tough opponent. It’s extremely hard to play the way the players did tonight — what they showed was truly extraordinary. They went out there to give everything and show the world that great football is played here too."

Messi Leads the Charge

Lionel Messi opened the scoring for Inter Miami in the 24th minute, capitalizing on a defensive error by Cincinnati's Matt Miazga to slot the ball home from inside the box. This strike marked his 10th goal of the regular season. Messi later equalized the match in the 55th minute with a precise left-footed finish, bringing his season tally to 11 goals. His influence was felt again in the 79th minute when he provided an assist to substitute Mateo Silvetti, who leveled the score at 3-3. Messi appeared to have completed a hat-trick in the 89th minute when his shot struck the post and deflected off Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano into the net. However, the goal was officially recorded as an own goal, denying the Argentinian superstar his third hat-trick of the MLS season. His current regular-season statistics stand at 61 goals and 42 assists in 65 matches. Messi's performance underscored his continued impact on the league, with this being the third time this season he has recorded at least three goal contributions in a single match.

A Back-and-Forth Encounter

The match was a high-octane affair from the outset, with both teams demonstrating their potent offenses, as they are the two highest-scoring teams in the Eastern Conference. After Messi's initial goal, Cincinnati equalized in the 44th minute through a Kévin Denkey penalty kick, following a foul by Inter Miami defender Gonzalo Luján. The penalty, despite a strong effort from goalkeeper Drake Callender, found the side netting. Cincinnati took the lead for the first time in the 49th minute when Pavel Bucha scored from close range, capitalizing on a defensive lapse. The hosts regained the advantage in the 64th minute with a spectacular long-range strike from Evander, making it 3-2. However, Inter Miami's attacking unit proved clinical in the final minutes. Mateo Silvetti equalized in the 79th minute, and Germán Berterame restored Inter Miami's lead in the 84th minute, pouncing on a loose ball following a free-kick delivery. The own goal in the 89th minute sealed the dramatic 5-3 victory.

Key Contributions and Defensive Lapses

Beyond Messi's heroics, Mateo Silvetti's timely equalizer as a second-half substitute proved vital for Inter Miami, marking his third league goal this campaign. Germán Berterame secured the go-ahead goal in the 84th minute, his fourth of the season, by capitalizing on a rebound. Rodrigo De Paul, a key midfielder, provided an assist for Messi's second goal, his sixth league assist this season, and was noted for his frequent forays into the attack. For Cincinnati, Kévin Denkey converted a penalty and scored, while Pavel Bucha and Evander added the other goals. The loss marked the first time in 64 matches since coach Pat Noonan took charge in 2023 that Cincinnati lost after holding a lead past the 75th minute. Despite the offensive fireworks, Inter Miami's defense conceded nine goals over their past three games, highlighting habitual lapses that the potent attack has consistently compensated for. Goalkeeper Drake Callender, while getting a hand to Denkey's penalty, was ultimately unable to prevent it, and the defense struggled with communication and marking at times.

Road Dominance and League Standing

Inter Miami's prowess on the road is a defining characteristic of their current season. With this latest victory, their away record improved to an impressive 7-1-1. The team leads Major League Soccer with 31 goals scored over 13 games, demonstrating a formidable offensive capability. The club's performance away from home has been particularly strong, with 12 goals scored in their last three road matches. This success on the road has been crucial in their pursuit of top positions in the league standings, where they now hold 25 points from 7 wins, 2 losses, and 4 draws. Looking ahead, Inter Miami returns to South Florida to host the Portland Timbers on Sunday, May 17, at 6 p.m. ET.

The bottom line

• Inter Miami secured a dramatic 5-3 comeback win against FC Cincinnati on May 13, 2026.
• Lionel Messi was central to the victory with two goals and an assist.
• The win extended Inter Miami's away winning streak to seven consecutive matches.
• The match saw multiple lead changes, with Inter Miami overcoming deficits twice.
• Inter Miami leads MLS in total goals scored with 31 through 13 games.