CINCINNATI (AP) — Lionel Messi had a goal and three assists and Tadeo Allende scored twice as Inter Miami beat FC Cincinnati 4-0 Sunday to advance to its first Eastern Conference final.

Miami will take on the winner of Sunday's other conference semifinal between the Philadelphia Union and New York City FC.

“Proud of how the team played on a very, very difficult field and against a very, very tough opponent,” Miami head coach Javier Mascherano said through a translator. "I think from the first minute it wasn’t about holding back. It was about going after the game and being ourselves. I think today the players played a virtually perfect match.”

Messi set an MLS playoff record with 12 goal contributions (six goals, six assists).

Cincinnati had the second-best overall record in MLS behind

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