FC Cincinnati delivered a resounding 3-0 victory over Inter Miami CF in a highly anticipated Major League Soccer regular season clash at TQL Stadium on July 16, 2025. The decisive win not only solidified Cincinnati’s strong position in the Eastern Conference but also notably ended Inter Miami’s impressive five-game MLS winning streak and saw superstar Lionel Messi held scoreless for the first time in seven league matches.
The match, officiated by Lukasz Szpala, kicked off with significant anticipation, especially with fans eager to see Lionel Messi take the pitch at TQL Stadium for only the second time since his arrival in July 2023. Despite pre-match speculation regarding Messi’s playing time due to Inter Miami’s congested schedule, he started alongside key players like Luis Suárez and Sergio Busquets.
FC Cincinnati asserted their dominance early, showcasing a dangerous attack from the outset. Their efforts paid off in the 16th minute when Luca Orellano, after a brilliant drive down the left wing, delivered a precise pass to Gerardo Valenzuela, who slotted the ball past Inter Miami goalkeeper Óscar Ustari to give the home side a 1-0 lead. Shortly after, in the 25th minute, Ustari was forced to leave the game due to injury and was replaced by Rocco Ríos Novo. The first half also saw a hydration break due to high temperatures, allowing coaches Pat Noonan and Javier Mascherano to address their teams. Despite Inter Miami’s attempts to find an equalizer, they struggled to penetrate Cincinnati’s resolute defense, failing to register a shot on target in the opening half, with Messi notably contained.
The second half began with Cincinnati quickly extending their advantage. In the 50th minute, Evander capitalized on a defensive miscue, seizing the ball inside the box and finishing clinically to double Cincinnati’s lead to 2-0. Evander continued his stellar performance, completing his brace in the 70th minute. Following a counterattack initiated after a failed Inter Miami offensive, Orellano’s hard shot was parried by Ríos Novo, and Evander was perfectly positioned to tap in the rebound, sealing the 3-0 scoreline. These two goals brought Evander’s season tally to 15, placing him just one goal behind league leaders Messi and Nashville’s Sam Surridge, and extended his club-record scoring streak to five consecutive games (Cincinnati Enquirer).
Cincinnati’s tactical discipline was evident throughout the match, particularly in their ability to neutralize Inter Miami’s potent attack. Messi, who had previously set a league record by scoring two goals in five consecutive contests, was closely marked and denied dangerous opportunities, marking a rare scoreless outing for the Argentine maestro. Inter Miami’s attempts, including a volley from Luis Suárez and a long-range shot from Messi, failed to trouble Cincinnati’s goalkeeper Roman Celentano significantly.
The victory was crucial for FC Cincinnati (14-6-3, 45 points), propelling them to second place in the Eastern Conference, just one point behind the Philadelphia Union. The win also allowed them to bounce back after a recent 4-2 loss to Columbus Crew. For Inter Miami (11-4-5, 38 points), the defeat snapped their impressive winning streak and saw them drop to fifth place in the Eastern Conference, though they have played fewer games than some of their rivals (ESPN).
Historically, this result continues a trend since Messi’s arrival, with Inter Miami failing to secure a road victory against Cincinnati in their last three attempts, including two losses and one draw. Their last win in Cincinnati dates back to September 4, 2021 (VAVEL). The comprehensive 3-0 triumph underscores FC Cincinnati’s strength as a top contender in MLS, while Inter Miami will look to regroup and restart their winning momentum in their upcoming fixtures.
