Cincinnati, Nov. 24 -- FIFA World Cup-winning Argentina football legend Lionel Messi stands one step closer to his first-ever Major League Soccer Cup (MLS) with Inter Miami, delivering a brilliant performance in his side's Eastern Conference semifinals against FC Cincinnati, beating them 4-0 on early Monday morning.

Messi scored once and delivered masterful assists in the other three goals, which included a brace by Tadeo Allende.

Inter Miami, with slightly better ball possession at 51 per cent, scored in the 19th minute. Messi produced the first goal, with Mateo Silvetti's cross reaching the icon, who wasted no time in driving it into the net.

Cincinnati tried to counter-attack as Evander fired over, while Kevin Denkey also troubled I...