Lionel Messi’s streak of consecutive matches with multiple goals in Major League Soccer (MLS) was halted on Wednesday night as Inter Miami suffered a 3-0 defeat against FC Cincinnati. This loss marked the end of Inter Miami’s five-game winning streak and left them with an overall record of 11 wins, 4 losses, and 5 draws, placing them fifth in the Eastern Conference.
Cincinnati took the lead with a first-half goal from Heraldo Valenzuela, followed by a second goal from Evander, narrowing their gap with the Philadelphia Union, who won their match against CF Montreal 2-1. Messi, who is now the first player in MLS history with a multi-goal streak spanning more than four games, had previously led the league with 16 goals in 17 matches.
Despite playing just three games against Cincinnati since joining MLS, Messi has struggled against them. In the first 16 minutes, Cincinnati made four shots on target, with Valenzuela scoring his fifth goal of the season. Messi’s first shot came just before halftime, saved easily by goalkeeper Roma Celentano. The game slipped further from Inter Miami when Cincinnati scored again just minutes into the second half, marking Evander’s 14th goal and Messi’s 50th goal in the MLS.
Cincinnati, sitting comfortably at 14 wins, 3 losses, and 6 draws, effectively neutralized the Messi-led attack. Evander later sealed the victory, scoring off a rebound for a final tally of 3-0. Messi had a chance to score in the 78th minute, but his close-range attempt was again thwarted by Celentano. Notably, Cincinnati was without their second top scorer, Kevin Denkey, due to a foot injury.
This defeat serves as a reminder of the competitive nature of the MLS. Fans should pay attention, as it demonstrates that even the greatest players face challenges, which makes for thrilling matches in an ever-evolving league.
