Messi’s Scoring Streak Ends as Inter Miami Suffers Heavy Loss to Cincinnati

FC Cincinnati halted Lionel Messi’s impressive run with a commanding 3-0 victory over Inter Miami in an MLS match at TQL Stadium, Ohio.

Evander — Cincinnati’s midfielder — set a club record by scoring in his fifth consecutive match. The Brazilian contributed two second-half goals after Gerardo Valenzuela gave the hosts an early advantage.

“Yes, I think we were clearly outclassed today,” said Miami coach Javier Mascherano. “From the start of the match we struggled, especially in individual encounters. Perhaps one of the reasons is that we were physically very stressed.”

Cincinnati dominated the game with seven shots in the first half — four on target. Their defensive line successfully contained Messi, who had previously scored two goals in each of his last five matches.

Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano recorded his seventh clean sheet of the season. Meanwhile, Miami lost goalkeeper Oscar Ustari to injury in the first half, requiring Rocco Ríos Novo to step in.

Inter Miami now sits fifth in the Eastern Conference — eight points behind Philadelphia Union at the top, though they have three games in hand.