TQL Stadium- The Herons, led by Lionel Messi, crushed the “Orange & Blue” on the road to advance to the Eastern Conference Final. Messi scored once and added three assists in another spectacular performance. Mateo Silvetti netted Miami’s second goal, while Tadeo Allende added a brace.
Starting XI
In a bold move, Javier Mascherano started 19-year-old Mateo Silvetti at forward over the veteran legend Luis Suárez. It was a decision fans had been clamoring for, but few expected Mascherano to actually make.
Macho Mascherano benched Luis Suarez & will have Silvetti in the Starting XI ..Big move, big guts to make the move most wanted but few expected..#MLS #InterMiamiCF #MLSes #Lemoncitylive
pic.twitter.com/yyxsCOoN0g— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) November 23, 2025
Match Action
Cincinnati started the match on the front foot, attacking Miami down the wings and creating a few early chances. However, it was Miami that struck first through Lionel Messi. Jordi Alba intercepted a pass and laid it off to Messi, who then spread the ball wide into space for Mateo Silvetti. The young attacker delivered a perfect left-footed cross, which Messi headed and bounced into the net for a 1–0 lead in the 19th minute.
Mateo Silvetti plays dividends almost immediately..#Messi opens the field with a pass to Mateo, who crosses it with his left perfectly for the GOAT 🐐 to finish with a header into the net..#InterMiamiCF leads 1-0 early on ..#MLS #MLSes #Lemoncitylive
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) November 23, 2025
Messi returned the favor by assisting Silvetti on Miami’s second goal. The GOAT picked him out with a perfectly weighted pass, and the young attacker coolly finished with a well-placed shot into the corner to make it 2–0 in the 57th minute.
Mateo is the gift that keeps on giving..Silvetti rips a shot in to give #InterMiamiCF the 2-0 lead..#Messi with the assist..#MLS #MLSes #Lemoncitylive
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) November 23, 2025
Tadeo Allende joined the fun just five minutes later. Lionel Messi sliced a perfect through ball to a charging Allende, who controlled it, dribbled forward, and blasted his shot into the Cincinnati net to give Miami a 3–0 lead.
The GOAT 🐐 #Messi gives Allende a lovely through ball ⚽️ that Tadeo finishes like an ace with a corner shot for the 3-0 #InterMiamiCF #MLS #MLSes #Lemoncitylive
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) November 23, 2025
Allende would secure a brace, and Miami would move on to the Eastern Conference Final with another goal off a Messi assist. The final 4–0 scoreline highlighted Inter Miami’s dominant performance in Cincinnati.
The GOAT 🐐 #Messi serves a three-toe pass to Tadeo Allende, who bodies the Cincy defender & then buries the ball ⚽️ with a bomb 💣 past the goalie for the 4-0 route .. #InterMiamiCF #MLS #MLSes #Lemoncitylive
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) November 23, 2025
Postgame
Rocco Ríos-Novo was asked for his thoughts on Javier Mascherano’s tenure as Inter Miami CF head coach.
His work has been very good — not because I say so, but because it’s reflected in what we’ve been doing all season and in the way we compete. We’ve left a good impression in all the competitions we’ve played. His work is reflected in where we’ve been and where we are right now.
Javier Mascherano has been the target of heavy criticism throughout the season, but Rocco’s point is a valid one. In his first season as head coach of Inter Miami, Mascherano has handled the pressure of managing legends and former teammates. The team has performed well and is now two wins away from an MLS Cup.
Final Thoughts
The Herons are making a statement to the rest of MLS with back-to-back 4–0 wins over quality opponents. Led by Lionel Messi, Inter Miami dismantled Nashville SC and FC Cincinnati and made it look effortless. If Miami can maintain this level of play, it will be very difficult for anyone to stop them on their path to the MLS Cup.
“Macho” Mascherano made a bold, calculated move by starting Mateo Silvetti in place of Luis Suárez. The young striker has been fantastic in Miami’s resounding 4–0 wins over the past two games. It took a lot of guts to bench a legend like Suárez, a player who has scored over 600 goals in his storied career. Kudos to Javier.
Inter Miami is just two wins away from its first MLS Cup title — its final chance to lift a trophy this season. Winning it would be the perfect way to help inaugurate Miami Freedom Park with an MLS Cup celebration.
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