Lionel Messi into second final of Inter Miami career after stunning comeback – and another shoot-out win

US Open Cup victory over Cincinnati on penalties sends Messi into another final only days after Leagues Cup triumph and just weeks into his stint in Miami

Inter look down and out as they trail in closing stages – then Messi produces two assists to save the day

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Lionel Messi has more knockout success to celebrate as Inter Miami beat FC Cincinnati in the US Open Cup semi-final. Photo: Getty Images via AFP

Published: 12:27pm, 24 Aug 2023Updated: 2:15pm, 5 Sep 2023

Lionel Messi inspired Inter Miami to come back from two goals down to beat Cincinnati 5-4 on penalties after their thrilling US Open Cup semi-final ended 3-3 following extra time.

Miami, who won the Leagues Cup on penalties against Nashville on Saturday, are now one win away from their second trophy since Messi joined the club last month.

The US Open Cup is American football’s oldest and most important knockout competition, dating back more than a century to 1914, and is similar to England’s FA Cup or Spain’s Copa del Rey.

Miami will face the winners of the other semi-final between Houston Dynamo and Real Salt Lake in the final on September 27.

Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi celebrates with teammates in Cincinnati. Photo: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

A month ago Cincinnati, who are top of Major League Soccer’s standings while Miami are bottom, would have been clear favourites in this game but the Florida team are now a very different side to the side who were winless in their 11 league games before the arrival of the Argentine.