Evander Outshines Messi as Cincinnati Ends Miami’s Streak in Stunning Fashion

The spotlight may have been on Lionel Messi, but it was Cincinnati’s Evander who stole the show Wednesday night at TQL Stadium. With two brilliant second-half goals, the All-Star midfielder powered FC Cincinnati to a commanding 3-0 victory over Inter Miami, ending both Messi’s historic scoring run and the Herons’ five-match winning streak.

While fans initially came to see Messi extend his MLS record of five consecutive two-goal games, they ended the night chanting “MVP” for Evander, the heartbeat of a Cincinnati side that is quickly proving to be the class of the Eastern Conference. His first goal, a clinical left-footed finish into the bottom corner, doubled the home side’s lead early in the second half after Gerardo Valenzuela opened the scoring in the first. Evander then added his second with a composed strike that capped off one of his best performances in a Cincinnati jersey, raising his season tally to 15 goals.

Inter Miami, which had not tasted defeat in regular-season play since May 18, looked sluggish from the outset. Messi, who had been unstoppable in recent weeks, was kept silent by a suffocating Cincinnati defense led by Lukas Engel and anchored by goalkeeper Roman Celentano. Messi’s two first-half chances were snuffed out—one blocked, one saved—and he never truly found his rhythm. Celentano’s calm command of his area and his seventh clean sheet of the campaign underscored Cincinnati’s complete control.

Inter’s problems were compounded when starting goalkeeper Oscar Ustari exited in the first half with an apparent injury, forcing Rocco Ríos Novo to step in. Though he made four saves, he couldn’t prevent Cincinnati’s relentless attack from finding the net.

Miami coach Javier Mascherano didn’t sugarcoat the performance in his postgame remarks. “They were better than us in every aspect,” he admitted. “We were physically worn down, and it showed. We couldn’t respond, and Cincinnati punished every mistake.”

Fatigue is indeed becoming a factor for Miami. With a jam-packed summer schedule that included participation in the Club World Cup and a growing list of muscle injuries, the squad is feeling the effects of a demanding calendar. Despite sitting fifth in the East, Miami has played fewer matches than most of their rivals and still has a path to the top if they can regain form and fitness.

Cincinnati, meanwhile, looks poised for a serious run at the Supporters’ Shield once again. Their high-octane attack, midfield creativity, and disciplined defense have made them one of the most balanced teams in MLS. Now second in the conference behind Philadelphia, they continue to build momentum—and belief—that this could be their year.

For Messi and Miami, this defeat might serve as a wake-up call. The magic of the World Cup legend remains intact, but as Cincinnati showed, stopping him is possible with the right tactical discipline and physical intensity. With the season entering its most grueling stretch, both teams now face the challenge of maintaining pace, managing fitness, and preparing for the business end of the campaign—where titles are decided, and legacies written.

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