Liputan6.com, Jakarta The intense match between FC Cincinnati and Inter Miami CF on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, ended in a major upset.
Hosts FC Cincinnati secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Inter Miami, ending the visiting team's six-match unbeaten run in Major League Soccer (MLS).
This result was a major blow for Inter Miami, whose superstar Lionel Messi played the entire match but failed to contribute a goal.
This defeat also marked the end of Inter Miami's positive momentum in the domestic league and strengthened FC Cincinnati's position at the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
FC Cincinnati's dominance was evident throughout the match, effectively capitalizing on every opportunity.
Meanwhile, Inter Miami faced harsh challenges, including an injury to their starting goalkeeper, Óscar Ustari, which added to the growing list of defensive woes.
FC Cincinnati's Domination and Decisive Goals
FC Cincinnati put in a very impressive performance from the start, taking the lead in the 16th minute through a goal scored by Gerardo Valenzuela.
This early goal gave the home team confidence to continue pressuring Inter Miami's fragile defense.Entering the second half, FC Cincinnati's dominance became unstoppable.
Their star attacking midfielder, Evander, was the star of the show, scoring two crucial goals.
Evander's first came in the 50th minute, followed by his second in the 70th minute, completing a brace that sealed a 3-0 victory.
Although Inter Miami had superior possession, reaching 54.18% compared to Cincinnati's 45.82%, the home team's attack was far superior.
FC Cincinnati was able to create more clear-cut chances and finish them effectively, demonstrating that possession doesn't always guarantee victory.
The two teams had relatively even shots on goal, with Cincinnati registering 11 and Inter Miami 10.
However, FC Cincinnati's attacking accuracy and sharpness proved superior, making them deserving of this big win in front of their home crowd.
Inter Miami's Disappointing Performance
Inter Miami came into this match with a six-game unbeaten streak in MLS, but their performance fell short of expectations.
Lionel Messi, the main focus, failed to show his magic and had very few chances to score or pose a significant threat to the opposing goal.
Inter Miami's attack looked dull and struggled to penetrate FC Cincinnati's solid, disciplined defense.
Despite their best efforts, their efforts were often thwarted in the final third, demonstrating a lack of coordination and sharpness in finishing.
Inter Miami's problems were further exacerbated by an injury to their starting goalkeeper, Óscar Ustari, in the 26th minute.
Ustari had to be substituted and replaced by Rocco Ríos Novo, who immediately faced pressure from FC Cincinnati's onslaught.
This substitution significantly impacted the stability of the visiting team's backline.
This defeat serves as an important assessment for the Inter Miami coach and staff to immediately improve their team's strategy and performance.
They need to find solutions to overcome the opponent's dense defense and increase the effectiveness of their attack, especially when facing top teams like FC Cincinnati.
Messi and Inter Miami's Unbeaten Record Ends
Prior to this Inter Miami vs. Cincinnati match, FC Cincinnati was second in the MLS Eastern Conference standings, while Inter Miami CF was fifth.
This decisive victory further solidified FC Cincinnati's position at the top of the table, giving them a significant points lead.
For Inter Miami, this defeat not only ended their impressive unbeaten streak but also potentially threatened their playoff spot.
They needed to bounce back quickly and pick up points in their next match to maintain their hopes of competing at the top of the Eastern Conference.
This result also sent a strong message to other teams in MLS that FC Cincinnati is a serious contender for the title this season.
Their consistency and goal-scoring effectiveness are valuable assets in the tight league competition.
This match served as a reminder that in soccer, any team can be beaten, even one featuring a player of Lionel Messi's caliber.
FC Cincinnati successfully demonstrated that hard work, the right strategy, and effectively capitalizing on opportunities are the keys to victory.