Lionel Messi and Leonardo Campana Combine Twice in Second Half to Propel Inter Miami's Comeback from 2-0 Deficit; Miami to Face Winner of Houston Dynamo/Real Salt Lake in Championship Match on September 27CINCINNATI, Ohio (Aug. 23, 2022) – Fresh from their recent victory in the Inaugural Leagues Cup, Inter Miami CF secured a place in the 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final by triumphing over FC Cincinnati in a gripping match that ended 3-3 and was decided by a penalty shootout. The dramatic encounter unfolded before a capacity crowd of 25,513 at TQL Stadium on Wednesday night.After trailing 2-0 beyond the 60-minute mark, Inter Miami rallied with reigning World Cup champion Lionel Messi assisting Leonardo Campana on two occasions, forcing the match into extra time. In the 93rd minute, Josef Martínez's strike put Inter Miami ahead 3-2, but FC Cincinnati's Yuya Kubo equalized in the 114th minute, sending the game to a penalty shootout. In the shootout, Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender's save from Cincinnati's Nick Hagglund paved the way for Benjamin Cremaschi's successful conversion, propelling Inter Miami to its inaugural U.S. Open Cup Final and its second championship match of 2023.As a result of this victory, Inter Miami will clash with the winner of the second semifinal between Houston Dynamo and Real Salt Lake in the Open Cup Final scheduled for September 27, as the team aims to secure its second trophy this year.Despite sweltering conditions with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit, both teams exhibited bravery during the initial 15 minutes, displaying skillful spells of possession and attacking maneuvers. Energized by the home supporters, FC Cincinnati seized the lead in the 18th minute with a splendid play orchestrated by Lucho Acosta. The Argentine forward's well-placed pass ricocheted off Inter Miami's Tomás Avilés to find Aaron Boupendza, who deftly nodded the ball into the path of Acosta. Acosta, maintaining his run, struck a left-footed shot that eluded Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender, hitting the post and granting FC Cincinnati the lead.In their quest to respond, Inter Miami came close to equalizing three minutes later as Messi fed Diego Gómez in the penalty area. However, Gómez's shot was thwarted by an impressive point-blank save from FC Cincinnati goalkeeper Alec Kann.During stoppage time in the first half, Inter Miami generated two more opportunities. Brazilian midfielder Jean Mota unleashed a powerful 25-yard shot that narrowly missed the target in the opening minute of injury time. Shortly thereafter, USMNT full-back DeAndre Yedlin cut inside from the right flank and found Gómez at the near post, but the Argentine's header sailed wide of Cincinnati's goal.Early in the second half, FC Cincinnati extended their lead to 2-0 through USMNT forward Brandon Vazquez. Following pressure from the visiting team, a well-placed pass over Miami's defense found Santiago Arias on the right flank. Exploiting the transition, Arias located Vazquez just outside the penalty area, allowing the striker to unleash a forceful shot that beat Callender and found the net in the 53rd minute.Energized by this two-goal deficit, Inter Miami mounted a resurgence through a set-piece orchestrated by Messi, who exploited a foul on Facundo Farias. Demonstrating his set-piece prowess, Messi delivered an immaculate free-kick that was met by the head of Leonardo Campana, who expertly directed the ball past Kann from six yards out, narrowing the deficit in the 68th minute.The Messi-Campana connection flourished once more, nearly equalizing from open play in the 83rd minute when Messi's cross found Campana on the run. Campana controlled the ball and took a shot, but it sailed over the crossbar from eight yards.With Miami in pursuit of the equalizer, Cincinnati came close to sealing the game in the third minute of second-half stoppage time. Substitute Sergio Santos sneaked in from the left flank and delivered a cross to Arias, whose right-footed attempt was deflected for a corner by Callender.Despite trailing, Inter Miami mounted a comeback, equalizing through the Messi-Campana combination in the seventh minute of second-half stoppage time. Operating again from the left midfield, Messi provided an accurate cross for Campana, who rose above the defense to head home his second goal of the match, sending the game into extra time.Riding the momentum from the late equalizer, Inter Miami surged ahead just three minutes into extra time. A misjudged pass from FC Cincinnati's defense fell to Jordi Alba, who quickly played the ball centrally for substitute Benjamin Cremaschi. The 18-year-old Homegrown Player from Inter Miami promptly set up Josef Martínez in the box, enabling the Venezuelan striker to fire a low shot past Kann, giving Miami a 3-2 lead.FC Cincinnati, however, fought back and equalized through two substitutes in the 114th minute. Bret Hasley's cross from the left was cleared by Inter Miami's David Ruiz but found Yuya Kubo, who swiftly slotted the ball into the net, leveling the score at 3-3 and leading to the penalty shootout.After the first four rounds of the shootout concluded with all eight players converting their spot kicks, Callender emerged as the hero for Inter Miami. Only days after saving two penalties in the Leagues Cup victory against Nashville SC, Callender made a crucial save by diving low to his left to deny Hagglund's shot in the fifth round. Capitalizing on this advantage, Cremaschi confidently converted his spot kick, securing Inter Miami's place in its inaugural U.S. Open Cup Final and its second championship match of 2023.- LAMAR HUNT U.S. OPEN CUP MATCH REPORT -Match: FC Cincinnati vs. Inter Miami CFDate: August 23, 2023Competition: Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup SemifinalVenue: TQL Stadium; Cincinnati, OhioAttendance: 25,513 (sold out)Kickoff: 7:05 p.m. ETWeather: 83 degrees; Partly cloudyScoring Summary: 1 2 OT F PKsCIN 1 1 1 3 4MIA 0 2 1 3 5CIN – Luciano Acosta (Aaron Boupendza) 18th minute CIN – Brandon Vazquez (Santiago Arias) 53MIA – Leonardo Campana (Lionel Messi) 68MIA – Leonardo Campana (Lionel Messi) 90+7MIA – Josef Martínez (Benjamin Cremaschi) 93CIN – Yuya Kubo 114CIN: Yuya Kubo – goal, Santiago Arias – goal, Sergio Santos – goal, Matt Miazga – goal, Nick Hagglund – savedMIA: Lionel Messi – goal, Facundo Farías – goal, David Ruiz – goal, Josef Martínez – goal, Benjamin Cremaschi – goalLineups:CIN: 1-Alec Kann; 4-Nick Hagglund, 5-Obinna Nwobodo, 9-Aaron Boupendza (7-Yuya Kubo, 62), 10-Luciano Acosta (Capt.) (28-Raymon Gaddis, 89), 13-Santiago Arias, 19-Brandon Vazquez (17-Sergio Santos, 78), 21-Matt Miazga, 31-Álvaro Barreal (42-Bret Halsey 105), 32-Ian Murphy (2-Alvas Powell, 88), 93-Junior Moreno (8-Marco Angulo, 89)Substitutes not used: 18-Roman CelentanoHead coach: Patrick NoonanMIA: 1-Drake Callender, 2-DeAndre Yedlin (11-Facundo Farías, 58), 5-Sergio Busquets, 6-Tomás Avilés (32-Noah Allen, 78), 7-Jean Mota (41-David Ruiz, 58), 8-Diego Gómez (17-Josef Martínez, 78), 9-Leonardo Campana (30-Benjamin Cremaschi, 91), 10-Lionel Messi (Capt.), 18-Jordi Alba, 27-Sergii Kryvtsov, 31-Kamal Miller (16-Robert Taylor, 58)Substitutes not used: 29-CJ Dos SantosHead coach: Gerardo MartinoStats Summary: CIN / MIAShots: 22 / 11Shots on Goal: 9 / 6Saves: 3 / 6Corner Kicks: 6 / 2Fouls: 22 / 18Offside: 2 / 0Misconduct Summary:MIA – Jordi Alba (caution) 24th minute CIN – Obinna Nwobodo (caution) 31 MIA – Jean Mota (caution) 41MIA – Tomás Avilés (caution) 70MIA – Sergii Kryvtsov (caution) 80MIA – Gerardo Martino (caution) 80CIN – Luciano Acosta (caution) 85CIN – Álvaro Barreal (caution) 90Officials:Referee: Joseph DickersonAssistant Referee 1: Luis UrangaAssistant Referee 2: Andrew Bigelow4th Official: Eric TattersallVAR: Kevin Terry Jr.Assistant VAR: Thomas Supple"Post-Match Reflections: A Test of Grit and ResilienceThe clash between FC Cincinnati and Inter Miami CF in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Semifinal left fans on the edge of their seats, showcasing the resilience and determination of both teams. The match unfolded amidst challenging weather conditions, with temperatures soaring above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite the scorching heat, both sides exhibited their commitment to the game, delivering a captivating and spirited performance.The contest kicked off with an assertive display from both teams during the opening 15 minutes. Possession and build-up play were on full display as they sought to take control of the game. FC Cincinnati seized the initiative, finding the breakthrough in the 18th minute through a moment of brilliance from Luciano Acosta. The Argentine attacker's clever pass, deflected off an Inter Miami defender, found Aaron Boupendza, who skillfully headed the ball into the path of Acosta. Acosta's subsequent left-footed strike hit the post and nestled into the net, giving FC Cincinnati the early lead and igniting the home crowd.Undeterred, Inter Miami immediately launched a response, nearly finding the equalizer just moments later. A precise pass from Lionel Messi set up Diego Gómez in a promising position, but FC Cincinnati goalkeeper Alec Kann's remarkable reflexes denied Gómez's effort, showcasing the high-intensity action.The first half saw Inter Miami press for an equalizer, with Brazilian midfielder Jean Mota attempting a long-range shot that narrowly missed the target. DeAndre Yedlin also provided a threatening cross for Gómez, but the Argentine's header sailed wide. Despite the pressure, FC Cincinnati managed to maintain their advantage as the half concluded.The beginning of the second half witnessed a pivotal moment, as Brandon Vazquez extended FC Cincinnati's lead to 2-0. A precise pass from Santiago Arias found Vazquez, who unleashed a powerful shot past Drake Callender, leaving Inter Miami with a two-goal deficit.However, Inter Miami showcased their resilience, driven by the combined efforts of Messi and Leonardo Campana. Messi's set-piece delivery allowed Campana to expertly head the ball into the net, reducing the deficit to 2-1 in the 68th minute.The drama intensified in the dying moments of the match as Messi and Campana connected once again. In the seventh minute of second-half stoppage time, Messi's precise cross found Campana, who rose above the defense to secure his second goal of the night, leveling the score at 2-2 and pushing the game into extra time.The additional period began with Inter Miami seizing the momentum. Benjamin Cremaschi, an 18-year-old Homegrown Player, played a pivotal role, assisting Josef Martínez, who buried a low shot to put Inter Miami ahead 3-2.As the game approached its conclusion, FC Cincinnati refused to concede defeat. Substitute Bret Hasley's low cross led to Yuya Kubo's timely strike, equalizing the score at 3-3 and setting the stage for the decisive penalty shootout.The penalty shootout was a true test of nerves for both teams. With all eight players converting their spot kicks in the first four rounds, it was Inter Miami's goalkeeper Drake Callender who emerged as the hero, making a critical save in the fifth round to thwart FC Cincinnati's hopes. Benjamin Cremaschi sealed the victory for Inter Miami with a confident spot kick, securing their place in the U.S. Open Cup Final and marking their second championship match of 2023.This thrilling encounter exemplified the essence of sportsmanship and the unpredictable nature of football. Both FC Cincinnati and Inter Miami displayed their dedication, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the U.S. Open Cup Final on September 27. As these teams continue their journeys, they have undoubtedly etched their names in U.S. soccer history with their remarkable performances in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Semifinal.