Lionel Messi set up an early goal and then scored one before leaving Inter Miami CF’s 5-3 aggregate win over Nashville SC on Wednesday night. The win moved Inter Miami CF to the quarterfinals of the regional club event.
Suárez and Messi Shine as Inter Miami Seizes Control in Playoffs Against Nashville
The teams went into the game tied 2-2 after the first leg in Nashville. However, Luis Suárez scored after a nice pass from Messi, and then Messi scored his own goal with a cool finish from the middle of the penalty area to give Miami a two-goal lead in the series.
Messi was on the field to start the second half, but five minutes after the start, Miami coach Gerardo Martino took him off and put on Robert Taylor. Messi wasn’t used in his team’s 3-2 loss to Montreal in MLS on Sunday, so it wasn’t clear why he was taken out so early in the second half.
“Leo’s right leg has too many muscles.” “We don’t want to risk anything with him,” Martino said after the game. “We tried to see if he could last a little longer after half-time, but it was bothering him, so we preferred to take him out the game.”
For Messi, it was his fourth straight game with a goal. He now has five goals and four helpers in five games for Miami this season.
Even though Miami was behind 2-0, Nashville looked dangerous to start the second half. Drake Callender made two good saves to keep his team ahead.
Soon after the hour mark, though, the home team put the game out of reach when Suarez curled in a perfect cross from the right side. Taylor jumped to meet it and put home a strong curling header to make it 3-0.
To make things better for Nashville, Shaq Moored sent in a cross that Sam Surridge scored on in the last few seconds of the second half.
Beginning April 2, Miami will play the winner of the match between Monterrey and FC Cincinnati in the round of 16 of the CCC. On March 16, it plays D.C. United away.
Messi is also likely to play in at least some of Argentina’s matches against El Salvador and Costa Rica later this month. The World Cup winners are getting ready to protect their Copa America title this summer when the United States hosts the CONMEBOL cup.
Before Sunday’s game against Montreal, the Miami star was listed as doubtful because of a shin injury. But Martino said after the game that Messi was always going to be rested for that game.
Messi made an early effect on Wednesday, which seemed to be a good sign for his play after the break.
After only four minutes of play, Nashville’s Aníbal Godoy fouled him, giving him a free kick. However, his shot was saved. After a few minutes, the 36-year-old player took advantage of his chance. He had great vision and sent a pass to Suárez, who scored in the bottom right corner of the net.
Then Diego Gómez passed the ball to Messi, who scored from inside the penalty area as fans chanted his name. Taylor then scored Miami’s third goal.
Late in the second half, Hany Mukhtar got past Miami’s defense and hit the back of the net, giving Nashville a chance. A long review by officials showed that Mukhtar was offside, so the goal was thrown out.
Messi has played against Nashville’s head coach Gary Smith’s team four times since he joined Inter Miami and MLS last summer.
Before Wednesday, they had tied three times. In the first match, Miami won 10–9 on penalty kicks in the 2023 Leagues Cup final. Messi scored early in normal and made the first penalty kick, which helped Miami win its first prize in club history.
“It’s a never-ending puzzle,” Smith said before the game on Wednesday. “You get a group together to cut down on what he can do.” He’s shown over the course of his career at the highest levels that the quality of the person will always find a way, no matter how good your defense is or how well you’re organized.
This summary was made with help from The Associated Press