Messi scores a hat-trick as Inter Miami triumphs over Nashville with a big win

Football result – Lionel Messi delivered a brilliant display with a hat-trick, contributing to Inter Miami’s victory against Nashville in the 34th MLS round.

In the 7th minute, Nashville nearly took the lead when Walker Zimmerman’s close-range header narrowly went over the crossbar. The home team kept creating several chances, notably with consecutive shots from Sam Surridge and Alex Muyl, but goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo made excellent saves to deny them.

Despite being under pressure, Inter Miami unexpectedly took the lead in the 34th minute. Receiving a pass from Jordi Alba, Lionel Messi unleashed a beautiful left-footed shot from outside the box, placing the ball into the bottom left corner to open the scoring for the visitors.

However, Inter Miami’s advantage didn’t last long. In the 43rd minute, Sam Surridge headed home a precise cross from Hany Mukhtar, leveling the score at 1-1 for Nashville SC.

The drama continued. During injury time of the first half, Nashville launched a quick counterattack, and Jacob Shaffelburg scored with a close-range left-footed finish, putting the home team ahead 2-1.

Just minutes after the second half began, Nashville threatened Inter Miami’s goal again, but Alex Muyl’s shot in the 51st minute was blocked by the visitors’ defense. Immediately after, Lionel Messi responded with a long-range effort, but it was saved by goalkeeper Joe Willis.

The turning point came in the 62nd minute when Andy Najar handled the ball inside the penalty area, awarding a penalty to the visitors. From the spot, Messi calmly struck a precise left-footed shot to equalize at 2-2. Five minutes later, Baltasar Rodríguez shone again with a close-range finish, putting Inter Miami ahead 3-2.

The team coached by Gerardo Martino kept their momentum going. In the 76th minute, Tadeo Allende almost doubled the lead after a quick combination with Messi, but his shot went wide of the post. Then, in the 81st minute, Messi completed his hat-trick with a curling shot into the bottom left corner, doubling the visitors’ lead.

During stoppage time, the Argentine superstar continued to make an impact by assisting Telasco Segovia, who sealed a 5-2 victory for Inter Miami.