Lionel Messi's record-breaking run of MLS games with multiple goals came to an end as Inter Miami were beaten 3-0 by FC Cincinnati, for whom Evander scored twice.

Messi entered Wednesday's game at TQL Stadium having netted in six straight MLS matches, with a brace in each of his last five appearances.

But he was kept quiet by Cincinnati, volleying wide when teed up by a Luis Suarez header for his only clear-cut chance in the 44th minute.

Miami were already 1-0 down by that point, with Gerardo Valenzuela firing across Oscar Ustari for a 16th-minute opener following Luca Orellano's driving run and clever pass.

Cincinnati doubled their lead five minutes into the second half as Evander's delicate touch took him away from the challenges of Benjamin Cremaschi and Sergio Busquets, giving him time to find the bottom-right corner.

That was the Brazilian's 50th goal in MLS overall, and he was on hand to score his 51st 20 minutes later, tapping home when Rocco Rios Novo – who had replaced the injured Ustari in the first half – failed to hold Orellano's curler.

Messi had one more opportunity to at least extend his run of games with a goal to seven, but Roman Celentano turned his volley around the post as Miami were shut out.

The win pulls Cincinnati seven points clear of Miami in the Eastern Conference standings, with Pat Noonan's side second and a point behind the Philadelphia Union, who beat CF Montreal 2-1 with goals from Tai Baribo and Olwethu Makhanya.

Nashville SC are another point back in third, having routed the fourth-placed Columbus Crew 3-0, with Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge netting after Sean Zawadzki put through his own net early on. Javier Mascherano's Miami are fifth but have three games in hand on all the teams above them.

Data Debrief: Messi's bogey club?

Messi's bid to score multiple goals in six straight games for the first time since 2012, a year that saw him plunder 91 goals for Barcelona, was thwarted.

Perhaps that should not be a surprise, though, with the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner also failing to score in his previous two meetings with Cincinnati, who limited Miami to only 0.96 expected goals (xG).

Messi has now faced 13 MLS teams on three or more occasions, and Cincinnati are the only one he has failed to score against.