Messi scores a masterpiece, but Inter Miami still narrowly loses to Nashville

Live coverage of the game between Nashville and Inter Miami in the 2025 MLS Playoffs

Inter Miami traveled to Nashville hoping for strong performances from Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez, yet they suffered a narrow 1-2 defeat.

In the 9th minute, Nashville took the lead after Sam Surridge was fouled by the Inter Miami goalkeeper inside the penalty area. Surridge successfully converted the penalty to open the scoring for the home side. At the 45th minute, Nashville doubled their lead when Josh Bauer scored from close range following a chaotic corner kick situation, ending the first half with a 2-0 advantage.

In the second half, Inter Miami launched intense attacks. Both Luis Suárez and Messi had great chances but were denied by an outstanding save from goalkeeper Joe Willis. It was not until the 89th minute that Lionel Messi brought hope to the visitors with a precise left-footed shot, reducing the deficit to 1-2.

Despite their efforts in stoppage time, Inter Miami could not find an equalizer. The match ended with Nashville winning 2-1, with Messi’s goal being a rare bright spot for his team.

90'+6: Full time. Nashville 2-1 Inter Miami

89': GOAL!!!!! MESSI SCORES

Lionel Messi’s left-footed shot into the top right corner was unstoppable for Nashville’s goalkeeper.

86': STILL NO GOAL

Messi’s left-footed shot from inside the penalty area was expertly saved by Joe Willis (Nashville SC) at the top right corner.

79': MISS

From Messi’s free kick, Maximiliano Falcón (Inter Miami CF) headed the ball from a tight angle on the right wing but it went over and wide to the right.

78': DANGEROUS

A missed opportunity. Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC) headed from the right side of the penalty area but the ball went wide right. Hany Mukhtar provided the assist from a corner cross.

66': OFF TARGET

From Jordi Alba’s cross, Luis Suárez (Inter Miami CF) took a close-range right-footed shot that was successfully saved by Joe Willis (Nashville SC) at the lower left corner.

50': UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT

Sam Surridge (Nashville SC) took a right-footed shot from the right side of the penalty box but the ball went wide of the top right corner. The chance came from a quick counterattack assisted by Andy Nájar.

45': GOAL!!!! 2-0 FOR NASHVILLE

From a corner kick, Josh Bauer (Nashville SC) fired a left-footed shot from very close range, increasing the home team’s lead to 2-0.

38': MISS

Hany Mukhtar’s (Nashville SC) right-footed shot from outside the penalty area was blocked by goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo at the center top of the goal.

27': OFF TARGET

From Jordi Alba’s pass, Lionel Messi took a left-footed shot but it was blocked.

19': DANGEROUS

Luis Suárez took a left-footed shot from a difficult angle on the left but the ball hit the crossbar.

14': UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT

Lionel Messi took a left-footed shot from the middle of the penalty area but it went wide of the post.

9': PENALTY FOR NASHVILLE. 1-0 FOR THE HOME TEAM

Inter Miami’s goalkeeper fouled Sam Surridge inside the penalty area, and the referee immediately pointed to the spot. Sam Surridge himself scored by placing the ball into the bottom right corner.

4': YELLOW CARD FOR NASHVILLE PLAYER

Edvard Tagseth (Nashville SC) received a yellow card after a clash with an Inter Miami player. The two teams had a heated argument.

1': Kick-off

Team news for Nashville vs Inter Miami

• Nashville: Gaines, Meyer, Perez, Qasem, and Washington are out due to injury.
• Inter Miami: Obando, Ruiz, and Silvetti are sidelined with injuries.

Expected lineups for Nashville vs Inter Miami

• Nashville: Willis; Bauer, Maher, Lovitz, Zimmerman; Acotsa, Muyl, Brugman; Boyd, Surridge, Mukhtar.
• Inter Miami: Ustari; Fray, Alba, Bright, Lujan; Falcón, De Paul, Busquets, Allende; Morales, Messi.

Form & head-to-head record of Nashville vs Inter Miami

• Nashville form: In their last 5 matches, Nashville won 2, drew 1, lost 2, scoring 9 goals and conceding 11.
• Inter Miami form: In their last 5 games, Inter Miami won 4, lost 1, scoring 19 goals and conceding 9.
• Head-to-head record: In the last 5 encounters, Nashville lost all 5 against Inter Miami.
• Messi plans retirement
• Beating Son Heung-min, Messi remains MLS’s number one
• Related articles

  Preview Nashville vs Inter Miami: Another victory expected (Preview, prediction) Nashville and Inter Miami will face off again in the second match of the MLS playoffs. With superior form and quality, Inter Miami is predicted to secure another win. See more