'Is it a fix?': David Beckham addresses fixing claim after Messi magic revives Inter Miami

Inter Miami overcame a two-goal deficit to defeat MLS-leading Cincinnati 5-4 on penalties in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals on Wednesday night, with two assists and a penalty kick from Lionel Messi. Leo assisted on both of Leonardo Campana's goals that tied the score at 2 after Cincinnati had taken an early 2-0 lead. Josef Martnez put Miami ahead 3 minutes into the first overtime, but Yuya Kubo scored for Cincinnati in the 114th minute, resulting in penalties.

3 things you need to know 

• Inter Miami won the Leagues Cup 2023 last week after they beat Nashville SC on penalties
• Inter Miami is set to play another Cup final since the arrival of the former FC Barcelona trio
• Lionel Messi has 9 goals and 3 assists for Miami so far

Also Read: Mauro Icardi’s Goal And Late Assist Lift Galatasaray To 3-2 Win At Molde In Champions League Playoff

Are Inter Miami matches fixed since the arrival of Lionel Messi?

Inter Miami went on to become one of the most feared teams in the MLS in just a month since the arrival of Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba. Prior to that, the David Beckham-owned side was on a streak of failing to win a single match in their last 11 games. However, everything seems to have changed since the arrival of the 7-time Ballon d’Or winner. Inter Miami are now on a winning streak since Messi wore the Miami shirt.

As they took on Cincinnati in the US Open Cup on Wednesday night, Lionel Messi and his group sought to continue their strong showing. Unfortunately, scores from Brandon Vazquez and Luciano Acosta put them behind 2-0. Messi, though, was essential to his team's comeback by helping to set up Leonardo Campana's double that evened the score.

Josef Martinez gave Inter Miami the lead during extra time, but Yuya Kubo's goal tied the game at 3-3, forcing a penalty shootout to decide the outcome. Inter Miami ultimately prevailed in the penalty shootout, winning 5-4 and claiming a place in the championship game.

There have been rumours in recent weeks that some games were fixed to favour Messi, an accusation that David Beckham, the proprietor of Inter Miami, has recently addressed.

Also Read:  'Mission Cost Less Than Chelsea's Spending': Reactions Pour In After Chandrayaan 3's Landing

What did David Beckham say on Inter Miami’s match-fixing rumours?

Talking to media after their Leagues Cup final victory, the former English captain stated:

  Every time Leo [Messi] scores one of these goals, every time Busi [Sergio Busquets] makes one of these passes, every time Jordi [Alba] makes one of these runs, people say ‘Is it a fix?

It’s the biggest compliment that anyone can give these players because it is like a movie. You watch these players play and it’s emotional because everything about their play is beautiful. Everything about their mannerisms is beautiful and everything about them as individuals, off the pitch, is beautiful.

Inter Miami will face the Houston Dynamo in the US Open Cup final next month. On the other hand, Messi is set to make his MLS debut along with Busquets and Alba against the New York Red Bulls on Saturday.