After a few days of celebrations, Inter Miami is back again in action. Lionel Messi and his team just faced Cincinnati in the semifinal of the US Open Cup. Guess what, this one turned out to be another nail-biter too. The Argentine soccer legend and his team were trailing by a goal till the very end. After a late equalizer, the Miami-based club managed to drag the game to extra time.

Early into extra time, the Herons took the lead but Cincinnati dragged the game to penalties with a last-minute equalizer. The result of the game would then be decided through penalties and Inter Miami went on to have the perfect penalty shootout converting all five kicks. Just days ago, the club lifted up its first-ever trophy. Well, they now have a shot at winning another one.

Another nail-biter for Inter Miami

Turns out, this wasn’t the easiest of games for Inter Miami. Cincinnati maintained a lead for most of the game. Luciano Acosta gave the home side an early advantage after scoring in the 18th minute. After that, there was no goal for a long time. At the break, the home side walked into the tunnel with a narrow advantage. Things went from bad to worse for Messi’s side after they conceded another goal after halftime.

Heading into the last quarter of the game, David Beckham‘s club was trailing by two. Although, they didn’t give up so easily. The comeback was definitely on after Leoandro Campana nicked in a header from a Lionel Messi freekick. 90 minutes were up and Miami still trailed by a goal. With eight minutes of stoppage time, the pressure was mounting. With about one minute left to go, Campana scored again!

Inter Miami was back in it. The game then headed into extra time. Youngster Benjamin Cremaschi came onto the pitch as a substitute and made the difference. With a pinpoint pass from the midfield, he managed to find Josef Martinez who scored! All of a sudden, Inter Miami was leading! That was surely not the end of the game as Cincinnati had an answer. Yaya Kubo equalized with three minutes to go!

The result of the game was then down to penalties. Miami had a perfect penalty shootout converting all five. The home side missed their last one. The Herons are now into another final. Here’s how the fans reacted.

At this point, even ‘nail-biter’ seems like an understatement, doesn’t it?

Messi and Inter Miami – A love story made in heaven!

He’s simply changed the entire perception of ‘soccer’ in America. And it’s barely taken him a month to do so.

Masterful recruitment. Inter Miami added head coach Tata Martino especially because of his previous achievements in the MLS and also because he understands the former Barcelona trio to the core. Without a doubt, the plan has worked out for sure. They’re on the brink of a domestic double!

Surreal.

All in all, the fans went berserk after another Inter Miami nail-biter. Messi’s side recovered a two-goal deficit which dragged the game to extra time. In extra time they snatched the lead but couldn’t hold onto it. And another Inter Miami game’s result was dependent on penalties. Too much excitement and drama with every fan’s heart throbbing with these last-minute results!

READ MORE: 19 YO Inter Miami Star Reveals Lionel Messi’s Advice Following Iconic Leagues Cup Victory

Lionel Messi – The greatest blessing Inter Miami could ever get!

Fortunes, luck, on-the-pitch gameplay, everything has turned around since Messi’s arrival. The Argentine soccer legend recently inspired the Miami-based club to its first-ever piece of silverware. Before his arrival, no one even dared to think about it considering their winless streak in the MLS. But within a month, it’s all different now! After their crowning win against Nashville fans deemed it to be the best soccer match in USA’s history.

In a few days, the World Cup winner will make his league debut too. Currently languishing at the bottom of the table, there’s surely a lot of work to be done. With Lionel Messi at the helm, the Herons are a much more confident team than before. Players like Robert Taylor, Benjamin Cremaschi, Josef Martinez, and many more have inspirationally stepped up their game. Onwards and upwards!

WATCH THIS STORY: American Athletes With Ownership in Soccer Teams

How did you feel about Inter Miami’s result today against Cincinnati? Let us know in the comments below.