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Lionel Messi inspires Inter Miami comeback to reach US Open Cup final

From 2-0 down late in the second half, to 3-3 after extra time and another penalty shootout, Inter Miami remain unbeaten since Lionel Messi debuted

HLs: Inter Miami beat FC Cincinnati (En Espanol)
Lionel Messi pulled out two heroic assists to push the U.S. Open Cup semifinal to extra time, and Inter Miami outlasted FC Cincinnati in penalties.

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are through to the final of the US Open Cup after another unforgettable, drama-filled night — one which saw them overturn a late 2-0 deficit to MLS-leading FC Cincinnati, before trading goals in extra time and surviving another penalty shootout.

[ FULL MATCH REPLAY: US Open Cup semifinal - FC Cincinnati vs Inter Miami (en Español) ]

For the first time since he debuted for Inter Miami on July 21, Messi failed to score on Wednesday, though it was his brilliant delivery into the penalty area which set up both goals in the final 25 minutes. He found Leonardo Campana’s head for the first time in the 68th minute and again in the seventh minute of stoppage time. After eight games played, Messi now has 10 goals and six assists.

Messi then converted Inter Miami’s first spot kick in the shootout, sending goalkeeper Alec Kann one way and coolly rolling the ball the other. Inter Miami wouldn’t miss any of their five attempts, with 18-year-old USMNT hopeful Benjamin Cremaschi converting in the fifth round after Cincinnati-born center back Nick Hagglund was denied one kick earlier.

[ MORE: Lionel Messi tracker - latest goals, highlights and upcoming schedule ]

FC Cincinnati vs Inter Miami, final score: 3-3 (4-5 PKs)

Goalscorers: Luciano Acosta (18'), Brandon Vazquez (53'), Leonardo Campana (68', 90'+7), Josef Martinez (93'), Yuya Kubo (114')

How to watch FC Cincinnati vs Inter Miami live, stream link, time

Kickoff: 7 pm ET, Wednesday (August 23)
TV: Telemundo (en Español)
Online: Watch online via Peacock (en Español)

Updates
Penalty shootout - Lionel Messi converts Inter Miami’s first spot kick

114th minute (ET) GOAL - Yuya Kubo blasts FC Cincinnati level

93rd minute (ET) GOAL - Josef Martinez slots home to put Inter Miami ahead

97th minute GOAL - Lionel Messi finds Campana with another brilliant ball for 2-2
Messi’s second assist ties U.S. Open Cup semi late
Lionel Messi and Leonardo Campana hook up again in the final minutes to tie Inter Miami’s U.S. Open Cup semifinal match against FC Cincinnati.

68th minute GOAL - Leonardo Campana heads home Lionel Messi’s free kick to make it 2-1
Messi assists Campana on free kick goal
Lionel Messi places this free kick perfectly for Leonardo Campana to head it in and cut Inter Miami's deficit vs. FC Cincinnati in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals to one.

53rd minute GOAL - Brandon Vazquez fires an arrow into the bottom corner for 2-0

18th minute GOAL - Luciano Acosta opens the scoring with a fortunate finish in traffic

Lionel Messi named in Inter Miami starting lineup

FC Cincinnati starting lineup