Inter Miami CF came back from a two-goal deficit to defeat FC Cincinnati 5-4 in a dramatic penalty shootout in the U.S. Open Cup semifinal on Wednesday night at TQL Stadium.
Lionel Messi, the Argentine superstar who joined Inter Miami last month, scored his 10th goal in eight games for the MLS club in the 23rd minute, but FC Cincinnati responded with two goals from Brenner and Luciano Acosta before halftime.
Inter Miami pushed for an equalizer in the second half, but FC Cincinnati goalkeeper Przemysław Tytoń made several saves to deny Messi and his teammates. It looked like the hosts would hold on for a historic win, but Inter Miami defender Leandro González Pirez headed in a corner kick in the 90th minute to force extra time.
The game remained tied after 30 minutes of extra time, and the teams had to settle the outcome in a penalty shootout. Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender was the hero, saving two shots from Nick Hagglund and Ronald Matarrita, while Benjamin Cremaschi, a 17-year-old academy product, scored the decisive penalty for Inter Miami.
Inter Miami will face the winner of Thursday’s semifinal between Seattle Sounders and Sporting Kansas City in the U.S. Open Cup final on September 29. The club is aiming for its second trophy in less than a week, after winning the Leagues Cup against Nashville SC on Saturday.
