FC Cincinnati edge out Inter Miami 1-0, ending Messi and Miami’s playoff hopes – Times of India
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Inter Miami (9-17-6, 33 points) entered the contest with their playoff aspirations hanging by a thread. However, the loss, coupled with CF Montreal’s win over the Portland Timbers, put an end to their postseason dreams.
Messi, who had been sidelined for two weeks with a reaggravated scar tissue injury in his leg, made a comeback in the 55th minute but couldn’t find the breakthrough Inter Miami desperately needed.
FC Cincinnati (20-5-8, 68 points) continued their remarkable season, securing the Supporters’ Shield for boasting the best regular-season record in the league. The win was another feather in their cap.
Goalkeeper Roman Celentano played a crucial role for Cincinnati, making two crucial saves, while Inter Miami’s Drake Callender put up a valiant effort with five saves of his own.
Despite controlling the game with 61.6% possession, Inter Miami struggled to put the ball on target, managing just two shots on goal out of 16 attempts.
The first half was rife with excitement as Inter Miami rattled the woodwork on three separate occasions. Tomas Aviles struck the crossbar squarely from the centre of the box, Josef Martinez narrowly missed the far post, and Benjamin Cremaschi’s attempt ricocheted off the crossbar, all in a scoreless first half.
Messi’s introduction in the 55th minute injected hope into the Miami faithful, but his free-kick attempt in the 59th minute sailed over the crossbar.
The deadlock was finally broken when FC Cincinnati capitalised on a steal in Miami’s territory. Yuya Kubo unleashed a shot that Callender parried to his right, only for Alvaro Barreal to pounce and slot the ball into the net, securing his fifth goal of the season in the 78th minute.
Messi had opportunities to make an impact, including a left-footed shot in the 87th minute that narrowly missed the target.
In the dying moments of the game, Messi won two late fouls near the box. On the first free-kick, his delivery was cleared by Cincinnati, leading to a fruitless Miami corner. On the second, Messi’s shot soared over the bar, sealing FC Cincinnati’s 1-0 victory.
The final whistle marked the end of Inter Miami’s playoff dreams, while FC Cincinnati continued to celebrate a historic season, cementing their status as one of the league’s best.
(With inputs from Reuters)
