Lionel Messi strikes again.
The soccer superstar scored a huge goal in penalty kicks after recording a highlight-reel assist in Wednesday’s 5-4 shootout win in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinal against FC Cincinnati after the two teams battled to a 3-3 draw after 120 minutes.
It was the assist on Leonardo Campana’s stoppage-time goal in the waning ticks of the second half that was the highlight of the night for the Argentine and helped force extra time.
Messi, who already had notched an assist earlier in the contest, sent a pass from deep outside the box to find Campana, who was able to head the ball into the net for the tying goal.
Messi has scored or assisted on 13 goals for Inter Miami this season in all competitions, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
“He’s a leader on the pitch and with the group he’s shown it for a long time, not only here with Miami but also with Argentina,” Inter Miami coach Tata Martino said through a translator after the game, per The Associated Press.
“Luckily, players get behind his leadership and enthusiasm in his response for every moment, no matter the circumstances, and today he showed it more as a conductor than a finisher, and you saw that with the pass late in the match but he makes difficult plays look easy.”
Messi assisted on Campana’s first goal of the night in the 68th minute to cut Miami’s deficit to 2-1.
That assist came off a free kick into the box that Campana headed past Cincinnati keeper Alec Kann.
The 36-year-old later scored during penalty kicks when he buried his shot with a stutter step, sending the ball to the right of Kann, who was anticipating the shot going to the left side of the net.
As with most games these days that Messi is a part of, there were some local celebrities on hand.
Bengals stars Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Sam Hubbard, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd were on hand to take in the action and took part in a pregame ceremony.
Inter Miami will now get the chance to compete for the club’s second trophy in the Messi era when they play in the finals of the Open Cup next month.
In just a short period of time, it has become abundantly clear the impact Messi has had on the fledgling club.
After eight games with his new team, Messi has 10 goals, three assists and one own-goal assist.
He also helped the club win the Leagues Cup title earlier this month and could help Inter Miami try to make a late-season playoff push when the squad resumes its MLS regular season schedule.
Inter Miami will face the Red Bulls in New Jersey on Saturday in a highly anticipated matchup that brings Messi to the metro area.
