Messi Goes Scoreless as Inter Miami Snatch Dramatic 2-2 Draw With Cincinnati

Inter Miami needed a dramatic late equaliser to avoid defeat against FC Cincinnati, with Riquelme Fillipi scoring his first Major League Soccer (MLS) goal in the 90th minute to secure a 2-2 draw on Wednesday. Lionel Messi failed to find the net as Miami dropped to third in the Eastern Conference standings, increasing the pressure ahead of a crucial showdown on Sunday.

Luis Suárez had put the reigning MLS Cup champions ahead in the 61st minute, giving Miami control of the contest. However, Cincinnati mounted a stunning late comeback, scoring twice in six minutes to threaten a damaging defeat for Messi’s side.

Kenji Mboma Dem equalised for Cincinnati in the 80th minute before Samuel Gidi struck six minutes later with his first MLS goal. Gidi finished a counterattack from the top of the penalty area, briefly putting Cincinnati on course for a valuable away victory.

Miami refused to surrender, however, as Fillipi found the net from the left side of the box in the 90th minute. His finish came from almost the same area where Suárez had scored earlier, rescuing a point for the hosts.

Cincinnati nearly snatched victory in stoppage time when Evander unleashed a shot from around the penalty spot. But Miami defender Ian Fray produced a crucial block to keep the ball out. Cincinnati’s subsequent corner failed to create another opportunity before the final whistle.

The draw leaves Miami third in the Eastern Conference with 56 points, two behind second-placed New England, who moved to 58 points after beating Red Bull New York 3-2. With only two regular-season matches remaining, Sunday’s meeting between Miami and New England in Foxborough, Massachusetts, could prove decisive in the race for the second seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Miami will then host Charlotte on November 7 in its final regular-season fixture.

Cincinnati, meanwhile, missed an opportunity to move closer to securing a playoff berth. The club had hoped to win in Miami and benefit from a Columbus defeat against Dallas to clinch qualification on Wednesday.