Lionel Messi's Multi-Goal Streak Ends At 5 Games With Inter Miami's Loss

Lionel Messi's Major League Soccer record streak of scoring multiple goals in five consecutive matches ended as his Inter Miami team lost 3-0 to FC Cincinnati on Wednesday. Cincinnati secured the victory with a first-half goal from Gerardo Valenzuela and two second-half goals from Evander.

This defeat halted Inter Miami's five-match winning streak. Despite the loss, Messi remains tied for the league lead with 16 goals in 17 MLS matches, holding the historic record for a multi-goal streak exceeding four games.

Cincinnati applied early pressure, registering four shots on target in the first 16 minutes while Miami had none. Valenzuela opened the scoring by angling a shot from the left side of the box for his fifth season goal. Messi's first shot didn't occur until the final minute of first-half stoppage time and was easily saved by keeper Roman Celentano.

Evander extended Cincinnati's lead to 2-0 less than five minutes into the second half, scoring his 14th goal of the season and 50th in MLS. He later sealed the 3-0 victory by converting a rebound after Luca Orellano's shot hit the keeper. Messi had a close-range chance saved by Celentano in the 78th minute.

Cincinnati successfully neutralized Inter Miami's attack, particularly Messi, to secure the win and remain one point behind Eastern Conference leaders Philadelphia Union. Cincinnati played without their second-leading scorer, Kevin Denkey, due to a leg injury. Messi, 38, has played 90-plus minutes in eight straight games, including Club World Cup matches, and covered the least distance of any player at one point in the second half.