🔥 FC Cincinnati thrashes Inter Miami 3–0, halts Messi’s scoring streak
Lead
FC Cincinnati dealt a blow to Lionel Messi and Inter Miami with a commanding 3–0 win at TQL Stadium on July 16. The defeat snapped Miami’s five-match winning streak and ended Messi’s sensational run of multi-goal games.
Match Summary
An early strike by Gerardo Valenzuela on 16 minutes set the tone, followed by a double from Evander in the second half (50′, 70′), who extended his own scoring streak. Cincinnati looked hungry and composed, while Miami struggled to get out of its own half. The crowd of 25,513 witnessed a rare night when Messi and co. were firmly outclassed.
Tactical Analysis
Pat Noonan’s side executed a high-pressing 4-3-3 formation. They closed space quickly, forcing Inter Miami into errors. Valenzuela’s goal came from a lightning-quick counter initiated by Luca Orellano. Evander capitalised on second balls in both halves, cementing his spot as Cincinnati’s talisman.
In contrast, Javier Mascherano’s Miami appeared sluggish and physically depleted, hinting at fatigue from a congested schedule including Club World Cup and Leagues Cup commitments. Messi, normally the offensive spark, was isolated and neutralised throughout.
Broader Implication
- FC Cincinnati: With the win, they rose to second place in the Eastern Conference (45 pts), trailing league leaders by just one point. Evander also broke the club record with goals in five straight matches.
- Inter Miami: The loss drops Miami to fifth place (38 pts). More worrying is Messi’s halted scoring streak and deeper questions around squad depth and fitness.
Stats at a Glance
| Category | FC Cincinnati | Inter Miami |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 3 | 0 |
| Scorers | Valenzuela (16′), Evander (50′, 70′) | – |
| Attendance | 25,513 (sellout) | – |
| Clean Sheet | ✅ | ❌ |
Video Highlight
Watch a breakdown of the action here:
Looking Ahead
Cincinnati travels to Real Salt Lake on July 19-riding high on confidence and keen to maintain momentum.
Inter Miami faces New York RB soon and must regroup quickly before the Leagues Cup kickoff at the end of the month.
