Lionel Messi’s hat-trick cancelled as Inter Miami edge Cincinnati 5-3 in a thriller

Organisers cancelled Lionel Messi's hat-trick as Inter Miami defeated FC Cincinnati on Wednesday in a Major League Soccer (MLS) match. Despite the setback for Messi, Miami clinched a 5-3 comeback win against Cincinnati.

Messi opened the scoring in the match in the 23rd minute and struck again in the 55th. Meanwhile, goals from Kevin Denkey, Pavel Bucha and Evander allowed Cincinnati to take a 3-2 lead by the 64th minute.

Lionel Messi denied hat-trick

The turnaround began with Mateo Silvetti scoring the equaliser in the 79th minute, while German Berterame scored the winning goal for Messi's Miami in the 84th minute.

Messi doubled the lead in the dying minutes to complete a hat-trick in the 89th minute, or so it seemed.

It was a cross from the left side by Silvetti that was pushed in by Messi through a sliding shot, but between hitting the right post first and eventually going in, the ball also made contact with Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano, which is why it was eventually given as an own goal.

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"After review, it was determined that it was an own goal by Roman Celentano," MLS said on social media, clarifying why Messi's third goal was cancelled.

Take a look at Messi's first two goals:

Nonetheless, Messi would be delighted with Miami's victory as he reached 11 goals for the season.

Overall, Messi now has 909 career goals. He is only 91 away from a record-breaking 1,000 goals.