Fan runs onto pitch to confront Messi during FC Cincinnati, Inter Miami match

CINCINNATI (WXIX) - A fan ran onto the pitch during the FC Cincinnati and Inter Miami CF match Wednesday to confront world-renowned soccer star Lionel Messi.

Videos from the game show the fan getting less than an arms-length away from Messi after another Inter Miami goal.

A security member put himself between the fan and Messi, as the fan yelled at the player. Additional security rushed onto the field to help.

Hamilton County Sheriff’s deputies escorted the suspect off the field immediately after, videos show.

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It was a sold out show at TQL Stadium, and the atmosphere was intense as fans and foes watched the flipping of scores, several yellow cards and two goals by Messi.

Cincinnati ended up losing 5-3, continuing Miami’s winning streak. FC Cincinnati Head Coach Pat Noonan says turnovers and rushed passes contributed to that loss.

“There’s times we have space, and we force the wrong pass and it leads to some really tough moments in transition ... we can’t get out of our own way with some of our mistakes because it’s really hard to recover from them,” Noonan said.

Noonan also acknowledged two of his star defenders, Matt Miazga and Miles Robinson, were not “90 minutes fit” during the game due to prior injuries.

“It’s not ideal to take two experienced guys out on the backline, but that’s our reality,” he said.

Forward Kévin Denkey scored the first goal for FCC during a penalty kick in the 41st minute.

Midfielder Pavel Bucha scored the second eight minutes later with an assist from forward Bryan Ramírez.

FCC’s final goal of the match was buried in the top left corner of Inter Miami’s net by midfielder Evander in the 64th minute.

Cincinnati is now ranked No. 8 of 15 in the Eastern Conference.

The team will hit the road Thursday to travel to San Diego for their next match.

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