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 Philadelphia after winning the Supporters Shield last season. Cincinnati lost to the Columbus Crew in last year`s conference finals.

"Tough night to end this way," FC Cincinnati coach Pat Noonan said. "Credit to Miami. They were better tonight. To the fans, sorry how it ended. It`s disappointing. You have to own it."

Messi had been scoreless in three matches against Cincinnati, but that streak ended in the 19th minute Sunday when he headed a short cross from Mateo Silvetti, giving Miami a 1-0 lead. Messi, a World Cup champion with Argentina and eight-time Ballon d`Or winner, had his 11th goal in the last seven games.

Nine minutes after scoring, Messi found himself alone with the keeper, but his shot toward the far post sailed wide.

Cincinnati`s best scoring chance came in the first half when Ender Echenique sent a header across the box to Evander, who shot over the bar.

Miami had seven shots on goal to Cincinnati`s four.

"We looked confident in front of goal," Noonan said. "We turned the ball over too much in dangerous areas. We gave too much time to Messi. We didn`t protect that space."

Miami made it a two-goal lead 10 minutes into the second half when Silvetti beat Cincinnati keeper Roman Celentano with a shot from the left side of the box.

"It`s obviously an honor as a striker to score my first goal wearing this jersey," Silvetti said via a translator. "I`m very happy. Whenever I can help the team, it`s even better, so I`m happy about that."

Silvetti replaced Luis Suarez, who was suspended from Miami`s previous playoff match against Nashville due to violent conduct. Mascherano decided to keep him out of the lineup on Sunday.

In the 62nd minute, Messi threaded a pass through the defense to Allende, who made it 3-0. Allende scored again in the 74th minute.

Cincinnati beat Miami 3-0 at home on July 16, and played to a scoreless draw at Fort Lauderdale on July 26. Messi was in the lineup for the first meeting, but not the second.

"We`re playing to win trophies," Noonan said. "We`ll continue to push to make that a reality."

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