Soccer star Lionel Messi hits the field against FC Cincinnati in the U.S. Open Cup

FC Cincinnati opened up a 2-0 lead against Miami in a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinal at TQL Stadium on Wednesday only to squander its advantage and fall behind in extra time. FCC clawed back to level the game at 3-3 but Miami prevailed in penalty kicks to advance.

Messi was held to just a single shot but assisted twice to help Miami knot the match at two, and force extra-time where it had Cincinnati playing catch-up. Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender saved a Nick Hagglund penalty-kick, and Benjamin Cremaschi scored on FCC goalkeeper Alec Kann to secure the visitors’ progression in the tournament.

Miami converted all five of its spot-kicks in the shootout to Cincinnati’s four converted takes.

A crowd of 25,513 attended the match, which was thought by many to be the most consequential in FC Cincinnati history.

For Miami, its torrid unbeaten run stretched to eight matches. After claiming the Leagues Cup championship on Saturday, it will now turn to the Major League Soccer regular season before playing in the Sept. 27 Open Cup championship match.

For Cincinnati, the match produced the kind of pain that will take time, and perhaps some silverware, to heal.

Cincinnati’s Luciano Acosta opened the scoring in the 18th minute, forcing a dribbler of a shot past Callender. The score was his 14th of 2023 across all competitions. Brandon Vazquez doubled FC Cincinnati’s advantage in the 58th minute when a counterattack resulted in him slamming home his 16th goal of 2023 across all competitions for club and country.

Then, Miami started to gradually creep back in. In the 68th minute, Leonardo Campana headed home off a set-piece delivery from Messi. Cincinnati then stiffened its defensive posture and survived to the 90th minute with its lead intact, but the fourth official standing between the benches indicated eight minutes would be tacked on.

Inter Miami CF downs FC Cincinnati in Open Cup semifinal PK shootout | Replay

The third unanswered goal in Miami’s onslaught came via Josef Martinez, a notorious FC Cincinnati killer from his days with Atlanta United. He curled around the edge of the FCC defense and slid the ball past Kann in front of The Bailey supporters section.

Cincinnati suddenly found itself trailing, and Vazquez and Acosta had been substituted off with defending in mind as FCC hoped to close out the match after 90-plus minutes. Noonan said cramping on the hot, muggy night played a factor in some of his substitutions.

Kubo came to Cincinnati’s rescue in the 113th minute, though. His goal for 3-3 forced the shootout. Afterward, Kubo indicated Cincinnati would rue its missed chances throughout the game.

“We should have finished this game in 90 minutes,” Kubo said. “We’re disappointed. We missed opportunities a lot. Penalties are 50-50 always, so you don’t know. Before, we should have scored… It’s so bad but, yeah, what can I say? Just disappointed now but, still, we are top of the table.”

FC Cincinnati had two goals called back for infractions. Aaron Boupendza beat Callender in the first half but was ruled offside. Shortly after Miami’s opening goal, Cincinnati had a goal scored off a corner kick waived off for a handball infraction in the 72nd minute.

FC Cincinnati wingback Alvaro Barreal said he achieved a dream in playing against Messi, but felt the