Inter Miami Beats Cincinnati 4-0 to Reach East Final

Lionel Messi scored once and provided three assists to propel Inter Miami to a 4-0 victory over FC Cincinnati on Sunday, advancing the team to the Eastern Conference final for the first time in club history. The match took place at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, where the third-seeded Herons dominated the second-seeded hosts in a single-elimination playoff semifinal.

Messi opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a header from a cross by 19-year-old Mateo Silvetti, ending his personal scoreless streak in three prior meetings against Cincinnati. The Argentine star, a World Cup winner with his national team and eight-time Ballon d'Or recipient, nearly added another goal nine minutes later but sent a breakaway shot wide of the far post. Inter Miami goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo preserved the clean sheet with five saves, including handling an early long-range effort from Cincinnati's Kevin Denkey and a first-half chance when Evander headed over the bar following a cross from Ender Echenique.

The second half belonged entirely to Miami. Silvetti doubled the lead in the 57th minute, firing a shot from the left side of the box past Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano. Five minutes later,...