In the U.S. Open Cup semifinal on Wednesday night, Lionel Messi helped Inter Miami overcome a 2-0 deficit to upset FC Cincinnati in a penalty shootout, making it eight victories in a row to start his Inter Miami career.

Wednesday night, Inter Miami and Lionel Messi once again exceeded expectations by turning around a late deficit into a victory in a penalty shootout in the U.S. Open Cup semifinal. Messi’s two assists and successful shootout effort were crucial in the comeback, saving his prospects of completing the treble in his debut season.

United States men’s national team striker Brandon Vazquez increased the advantage with a drive that stung the goalkeeper in the 18th minute. Luciano Acosta, a star for FC Cincinnati, had a deflected effort that crept by Leagues Cup hero Drake Callender at the near post. However, Messi, who had trouble finding space during the majority of the game, gave Inter Miami the lead in the 68th minute with a floating free-kick from the wing that found the head of a charging Leonardo Campana with plenty of space to spare. It was the kind of situation that Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan had foreseen in his team’s defensive breakdown.

Before the game, Noonan observed, “You might spend 89 minutes doing the best job you can to stop an important player. “And he still has the ability to change the game with the spectacular in a single instant, even with the right defensive structure, the right numbers around the ball.”

In stoppage time, Cincinnati then briefly lost concentration. Off Messi in midfield, they stumbled. He smoothly lifted a long pass over the top of the defense as if it were practice, giving Campana another easy finish to tie the game at 2-2 and force overtime.

Inter Miami improved as their confidence increased like they had done frequently over the previous month. At the same time, Cincinnati seemed to disappear. Early in extra time, defender Matt Miazga took the ball away. Inter Miami wunderkind Benjamin Cremaschi, then 18 years old, sent a pass to Josef Martinez, who then scored to give Inter Miami the lead.

When Yuya Kubo took on a ball at the edge of the box and curled it into the far side of the goal in the 114th minute, Cincinnati tied the score at three. Sergio Busquets was unable to close him down in time.

Only days after upsetting Nashville SC in a shootout, Inter Miami made all five of their extra points to win the match.

Along with his former Barcelona teammates Jordi Alba and Busquets, Messi played the full 120 minutes. Once more, the star-studded squad put together by co-owner David Beckham impressed.