Inter Miami has been undefeated since Lionel Messi joined the team. On Wednesday night, the Herons beat FC Cincinnati in a dramatic game defined by penalties (5-4) to reach the US Open Cup final, clinching a win after tying 3-3 after 120 minutes

After winning the Leagues Cup, the challenge for coach Gerardo Martino’s team was to remain equally competitive in the United States local tournaments. 

Inter Miami didn’t play its best game against FC Cincinnati, the best team in the MLS Eastern Conference. There were obvious signs of exhaustion, particularly in star players Messi and Sergio Busquets. Other first-team regulars like Josef Martínez or Robert Taylor started from the bench, giving the young Tomás Avilés the opportunity to make his official debut.

Players were also affected by the high temperatures, which reached as much as 36°C (97°F) and forced referee Joe Dickerson to stop the game twice for players to rehydrate.

An uninspired Inter Miami struggled to create big goal chances, and it was Cincinnati who broke through — former Boca Juniors striker Luciano Acosta benefitted from two lucky bounces to score the opener in the 17th minute.

Early into the second half, with the Herons forced to commit men forward, Cincinnati hit on a quick counter and striker Brandon Vázquez slotted a low shot from outside the box to make it 2-0.

An inspired decision by Martino to bring on former Colón youngster striker Facundo Farías turned the game around. Farías was the second Argentine to make his debut and, with fresh legs and eager spirits, the 20-year-old became Messi’s best partner on the pitch. 

A foul committed against Farías allowed the Rosario-born player to put a great cross in from the left flank for Ecuadorian striker Leonardo Campana to head home the 2-1 in the 67th minute. 

Cincinnati remained the best team in the match, even having a goal ruled out for handball, but Inter Miami’s goalkeeper Drake Callender made some big saves to keep the game close.

In the 97th minute, with little else to play for, the ball got into Messi’s feet after a scrappy play, and the former FC Barcelona man produced another moment of magic with another pinpoint cross for Campana, who easily made it 2-2, sending it to extra time.

Inter Miami scored just two minutes into extra time with a goal by striker Josef Martínez, but the Herons were unable to hold the advantage — Japanese striker Yuya Kubo tied 3-3 the game in the 113th minute, and the series went to a penalty shootout.

There, all players scored until it was defender Nick Hagglund’s turn to take his team’s fifth shot. Callender saved it, maintaining his hero status throughout the game, and the win was confirmed when American-Argentine Benjamin Cremaschi scored the next shot.

Inter Miami will now play in the US Open Cup final on September 27 at Fort Lauderdale stadium. The rival will be Houston Dynamo, who beat Real Salt Lake 3-1 in extra time on Wednesday.