Argentine super star Lionel Messi scored a stunning goal for Inter Miami in their loss to Nashville
Lionel Messi produced yet another moment of magic with an 89th-minute rocket, but it wasn’t enough to stop Inter Miami from falling 2-1 to Nashville SC in a tense MLS Cup playoff clash.
The late strike, seen by many as a response to Cristiano Ronaldo’s recent goals for Al Nassr against Al-Fayha, came too late, meaning Miami’s path to the conference semifinals is suddenly hanging in the balance.
Messi’s late brilliance not enough as Nashville strike early
From the very first whistle at a rainy Geodis Park, Nashville made it clear they weren’t ready to bow out quietly.
A ninth-minute penalty put the hosts ahead, with Sam Surridge calmly sending Rocco Rios Novo the wrong way after the Miami keeper hesitated off his line. Right before halftime, Josh Bauer doubled the lead, sliding home a low finish from a Hany Mukhtar corner to send Miami into the break in trouble.
Luis Suárez came close in the second half, forcing Joe Willis into a point-blank save in the 66th minute, but it was not until Rodrigo De Paul picked out Messi in the 89th minute that the Argentine delivered a trademark moment.
Messi made a quick shift, moved the defender off balance, and hit a left-footed rocket into the top corner. Still, despite Messi’s Golden Boot-winning form and his earlier brace in the 3-1 Game One win, Nashville held firm, making Miami sweat.
Decisive Game Three looms with history haunting Miami
With the best-of-three tied at 1-1, everything now comes down to a decisive showdown at Chase Stadium on November 8.
No aggregate scores matter, just the final result, and if neither team can settle it in 90 minutes, penalties await.
Miami fans will hope history doesn’t repeat: last year, where they also won their playoff opener only to lose the next two against Atlanta United.
