Messi scored twice, Inter Miami beat Nashville 3-1
Receiving the 2025 MLS Golden Boot and scoring a double in the 19th and 90+5th minutes, Messi and Allende's goal helped Inter Miami defeat Nashville 3-1, opening the door to the second round of the play-off.
Inter Miami beat Nashville SC 3-1 in a pivotal match for their MLS Cup playoff berth, with Lionel Messi shining with a brace in the 19th and 90+5 minutes. Tadeo Allende added a goal in the 62nd minute, before Hany Mukhtar reduced the gap in the final minute.
Key moment: Messi opened the score in the 19th minute, setting the tone for 90+5
The match started at a high tempo. In the 4th minute, Messi tried his luck with a left-footed shot from outside the box that was blocked by a Nashville defender. The visitors responded in the 11th minute when Jacob Shaffelburg fired a dangerous shot, forcing Inter Miami goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo to make a brilliant reflex save.
The balance was broken in the 19th minute: Luis Suarez sent in a delicate pass, Messi chose a smart position and headed home to open the scoring. From then on, the home team increased the pressure with chances from Allende, Ian Fray and Messi himself, but goalkeeper Joe Willis repeatedly denied the goal.
Nashville tried to push forward early in the second half, but Inter Miami quickly regained the initiative. In the 62nd minute, Ian Fray crossed the ball accurately for Allende to head in to double the lead. In the remaining time, Willis continued to save Suarez and Allende's chances.
In the 5th minute of injury time, Messi took advantage of a mistake by the Nashville goalkeeper to score a goal to increase the score to 3-0. In the last minute, Hany Mukhtar scored an honorary goal for the away team, closing the match with a 3-1 victory for Inter Miami.
Development according to tactical scenario
The opening goal reflected Inter Miami’s familiar attacking mechanics: Suarez dropping to pick up the ball and passing to open up space, Messi moving smartly between the two centre-backs to finish with a header. It was a combination that showed the two stars’ connection in stretching the opposition’s defensive structure.
For the second goal, Inter Miami exploited the wing with Ian Fray playing an advanced role. The right-back's cross allowed Allende to penetrate the penalty area and head the ball. The initiative on the wing, combined with the quick transition, allowed the home team to constantly threaten Joe Willis' goal in the second half.
The third goal came from constant pressure forcing Nashville into mistakes at a crucial moment. When the away team's goalkeeper made a mistake, Messi immediately punished to close the game.
Key analysis
Messi and Suarez: decisive coordination
Suarez’s assist for the opener and Messi’s sprint into space were the highlights. Suarez draws defenders, Messi exploits the timing of his runs. Messi’s double – one a header, one a mistake – shows the versatility of his finishing.
Allende's right wing and run
Ian Fray made an impact on the right flank with a cross for Allende to score. This attacking pattern emphasizes the full-back's ability to support and the attacking midfielder's initiative to enter the penalty area to create a numerical advantage.
Two ends of the wooden frame
Rocco Rios Novo kept Inter Miami in the game with an 11th-minute save from Shaffelburg. On the other side, Joe Willis was the reason Nashville didn't concede earlier in the first half and much of the second, before a mistake in stoppage time sealed the game.
Important statistics
- Score: Inter Miami 3-1 Nashville SC.
- Goals: Messi 19', Allende 62', Messi 90+5' – Mukhtar last minute.
- Notable chances: Messi shot from 4' away; Shaffelburg's shot from 11' was blocked by Rocco Rios Novo; Joe Willis saved many times from Allende, Ian Fray and Messi.
- Messi received the 2025 MLS Golden Boot award before the match and scored twice on the same day.
Reaction and impact
This victory gives Inter Miami a big advantage in the race for a ticket to the second round of the MLS Cup playoffs. For context, Messi just signed a new contract with Inter Miami until December 2028. Before this match, Inter Miami had won Nashville 5-2 in the 34th round of MLS, when Messi scored a hat-trick and assisted, showing the advantage in the recent head-to-head.
With Messi's form and effectiveness on the flanks, Inter Miami entered the next stage of the play-offs with a clear plan: central coordination based on the Messi-Suarez duo and increased damage from crosses from the full-backs.
