The first half between Inter Miami and Nashville was lively with continuous attacking moves from the home team. At the 4th minute, Rodrigo De Paul unleashed a right-footed shot from outside the box which was blocked, setting the tone for Inter Miami's dominance.
At the 10th minute, capitalizing on a defensive error from Nashville, Messi scored the opening goal with a precise left-footed shot into the bottom right corner, assisted by a clever pass from Tadeo Allende.
Messi opens scoring for Inter Miami with a sharp strike from outside the box
Buoyed by the breakthrough, Messi and his teammates kept up the pressure on Nashville. At the 32nd minute, Baltasar Rodriguez took a right-footed shot from distance but missed the target. Messi remained influential following this set-piece. Jordi Alba also had a chance at the 38th minute with a left-footed shot from the left side of the box, but it was blocked.
At the 39th minute, the home side doubled their lead. Messi shone again with a left-footed shot into the center of the goal, assisted perfectly by Mateo Silvetti.
Messi doubles Inter Miami’s lead with a tap-in into an empty net
Before halftime ended, the Argentine superstar had another shot but was denied by goalkeeper Joe Willis in the 2nd minute of added time.
Early in the second half, Inter Miami surprisingly conceded a goal, but it was disallowed due to Sam Surridge fouling Maximiliano Falcon beforehand.
The visitors then pressed hard to equalize. Nashville players like Sam Surridge, Walker Zimmerman, and Hany Mukhtar all attempted shots but failed to score, many saved by goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo.
At the 62nd minute, Inter Miami had two attempts from Mateo Silvetti and Lionel Messi but were unsuccessful. However, from the 73rd minute onwards, the home team exploded. Tadeo Allende scored twice within seven minutes, netting the third and fourth goals for Inter Miami, assisted by Jordi Alba and Messi respectively.
Tadeo Allende completes a quick brace in three minutes
In the following minutes, the home team slowed the pace, but Nashville couldn’t find the back of the net.
In the end, Inter Miami won 4-0 against Nashville. This result officially sends coach Javier Mascherano’s squad to the MLS Cup quarterfinals where they will face Cincinnati.
Match events
The match is over!
90'+8': Unsuccessful shot. Jacob Shaffelburg (Nashville SC) took a left-footed shot from outside the box.
90'+2': Tyler Boyd's (Nashville SC) right-footed shot from outside the penalty area was successfully saved by Rocco Ríos Novo (Inter Miami CF) in the bottom left corner. Andy Nájar assisted in the attack.
90': The fourth official announced 8 minutes of added time.
83': Gastón Brugman’s (Nashville SC) right-footed shot from outside the box was blocked by Rocco Ríos Novo (Inter Miami CF) in the center of the goal.
81': Noah Allen (Inter Miami CF) won a free kick in his own half.
77': Lionel Messi (Inter Miami CF) received a yellow card for a rough foul.
76': Goal! Inter Miami CF 4, Nashville SC 0. Tadeo Allende (Inter Miami CF) scored with a right-footed shot from outside the box into the bottom left corner. Lionel Messi assisted after a quick counterattack.
73': Goal! Inter Miami CF 3, Nashville SC 0. Tadeo Allende (Inter Miami CF) scored with a left-footed shot from the middle of the box into the center of the goal. Jordi Alba provided the assist.
71': Shot blocked. Alex Muyl’s (Nashville SC) right-footed shot from the left side of the box was saved by goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo (Inter Miami CF) in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Gastón Brugman.
65': Shot blocked. Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC) took a right-footed shot from the left side of the box but it was blocked. Assisted by Alex Muyl.
62': Mateo Silvetti’s (Inter Miami CF) right-footed shot from the right side of the box went wide to the left. Assisted by Lionel Messi.
62': Sam Surridge’s (Nashville SC) right-footed shot from the left side of the box was saved by Rocco Ríos Novo (Inter Miami CF) in the bottom left corner. Hany Mukhtar supported the attack.
59': Missed chance. Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC) took a right-footed shot from the center of the box but it flew over the goal. Hany Mukhtar crossed from a corner.
56': Unsuccessful shot. Sam Surridge (Nashville SC) took a right-footed shot from the left side of the box.
53': Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC) earned a free kick in his own half.
46': Maximiliano Falcón (Inter Miami CF) won a free kick in his own half.
Second half begins
First half begins
Halftime
45'+2': Lionel Messi’s (Inter Miami CF) left-footed shot from outside the box was saved by Joe Willis (Nashville SC) right in the center of the goal.
45': Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami CF) received a yellow card for a rough foul.
39': Goal! Inter Miami CF 2, Nashville SC 0. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami CF) scored with a left-footed shot from outside the box into the center of the goal. Mateo Silvetti assisted.
38':Shot blocked. Jordi Alba’s (Inter Miami CF) left-footed shot from the left side of the box was blocked.
32': Unsuccessful shot. Baltasar Rodríguez (Inter Miami CF) took a right-footed shot from outside the box, missing to the right. Lionel Messi played a key role following this set-piece.
29': Lionel Messi (Inter Miami CF) won a free kick on the right wing.
22': Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC) earned a free kick in his own half.
19': Lionel Messi (Inter Miami CF) won a free kick in his own half.
16': Shot blocked. Hany Mukhtar’s (Nashville SC) right-footed shot from outside the box was blocked.
10': Goal! Inter Miami CF 1, Nashville SC 0. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami CF) scored with a left-footed shot from outside the box into the bottom right corner. Assisted by Tadeo Allende.
4': Shot blocked. Rodrigo De Paul’s (Inter Miami CF) right-footed shot from outside the box was blocked.