Dramatic Late Penalty Seals 4-4 Thriller Between Cincinnati FC and NYCFC
CINCINNATI — In a wild, back-and-forth showdown, Cincinnati FC clawed back from a three-goal deficit to snatch a dramatic 4-4 draw against New York City FC on Wednesday night, capped by a stoppage-time penalty from Evander da Silva Ferreira.
The match, played at TQL Stadium, delivered relentless action as both teams traded blows in a game that saw four different scorers and a flurry of late drama.
NYCFC’s Early Dominance
New York City FC looked poised to run away with the game early, thanks to a brace from in-form striker Nicolás Fernández. The Argentine forward opened the scoring in the 20th minute, pouncing on a spilled save by Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano.
Fernández struck again in the 35th, finishing a slick first-touch assist from Maxi Moralez to double NYCFC’s lead. By halftime, the visitors appeared in control, but Cincinnati had other plans.
Cincinnati’s Spirited Comeback
Kevin Denkey, Cincinnati’s rising star, ignited the fightback with a clinical finish in the 32nd minute. He added his second in the 65th, keeping his team within striking distance despite NYCFC’s third goal from Agustin Ojeda.
When Talles Magno made it 4-1 for NYCFC, the game seemed over—until Andrei Chirila, making just his fourth MLS appearance, scored his first-ever league goal in the 92nd minute to spark hope.
Then came the late drama. Deep into stoppage time, Cincinnati was awarded a penalty, and Brazilian playmaker Evander stepped up to coolly slot home the equalizer, sending the home crowd into delirium.
Key Takeaways
Fernández continued his red-hot form, now with eight goals this season—second only to Nashville’s Sam Surridge (nine) in the Golden Boot race. The 26-year-old also became just the fourth NYCFC player to score 10+ goals in his first 20 MLS appearances.
For Cincinnati, the draw extends their winless streak to four games, but the fighting spirit shown will give fans optimism. NYCFC, meanwhile, remains stuck in a five-game slump.
Injury Blow for Cincinnati
The hosts suffered an early setback when defender Teenage Hadebe was forced off with an injury in the 23rd minute, replaced by Alvas Powell.
What’s Next?
Cincinnati (2-4-3) will look to turn their momentum into a win when they face their next opponent, while NYCFC (3-3-3) must regroup quickly to halt their slide.
One thing is certain—this match will be remembered as one of the most thrilling encounters of the MLS season.
— Reported by Nexio News
