Messi stops goalscoring streak in Inter Miami’s defeat against Cincinnati

alofoke
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Lionel Messi’s streak in MLS of scoring two goals in a match came to an end after Inter Miami fell 3-0 to FC Cincinnati on Wednesday night. On the other side of the field, Cincinnati’s star midfielder, Evander, kept his own streak alive and set a club record by scoring in his fifth consecutive game. As time went on, the chants of “MVP” echoed through TQL Stadium in Ohio, but this time they were for Evander, the local hero of Cincinnati, and not for Messi, the World Cup winner and Argentine legend. Evander’s left-footed shot from the center of the area found the lower right corner of the net, doubling Cincinnati’s lead at the start of the second half, after Gerardo Valenzuela put the home side ahead in the first half. It was the first of the two goals that Evander scored in the second half, after failing to convert multiple shot attempts in the first. These two goals bring his total to 15 in the MLS regular season competition. Miami’s offensive struggles, combined with Cincinnati’s outstanding defense, also marked the end of the Herons’ five-game winning streak, who suffered their first regular season loss since May 18. Before this match, Messi had scored two goals in each of his last five matches with Miami, a record in MLS.

Messi stops goalscoring streak in Inter Miami's defeat against Cincinnati
Lionel Messi’s streak of scoring two goals in five consecutive matches came to an end in Miami’s defeat to Cincinnati on Wednesday. Cincinnati, which now occupies second place in the Eastern Conference, controlled most of the first 45 minutes and six minutes of added time, frequently reaching the area and shooting at goal. Cincinnati had seven shots, four on goal, in the first half and finished the night with 11 and six, respectively. The defense also kept Messi and the rest of the Herons at bay during the first half. Every opportunity Miami had was thwarted by Cincinnati’s solid defense. Messi had two shots at the end of the first half, but neither of them converted to tie the match. His first shot was blocked by Cincinnati defender Lukas Engel, and his second attempt was stopped by goalkeeper Roman Celentano. Celentano made two saves for Cincinnati, his seventh shutout of the season. His counterparts in goal, Oscar Ustari, who retired in the first half due to injury, and Rocco Ríos Novo, combined for four saves for Miami. Miami finished the day in fifth place in the East, although the team has three games pending and could make up for much of the 8-point deficit that separates it from the Union.

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