FC Cincinnati was a minute away from reaching its first trophy game, but seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF once again found a way to push through, ultimately winning 5-4 in a penalty shootout of their U.S. Open Cup semifinal Wednesday at TQL Stadium.
Messi delivered a long cross off a set piece that Leo Campana headed in to complete a brace in the seventh minute of second-half stoppage time, as Miami rallied from a 2-0 deficit. The teams played to a 3-3 draw through 120 minutes, but Herons goalkeeper Drake Callender saved Nick Hagglund’s fifth-round attempt in penalties, and Ben Cremaschi made his kick to seal it for Miami.
FCC, which got goals from Luciano Acosta, Brandon Vazquez and Yuya Kubo, now returns its focus on winning the Supporters Shield, while Miami heads to its second trophy game, hosting Houston in the Open Cup final Sept. 27.
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