Messi Scores Twice as Miami Beats Nashville 4-0, Advances to Conference Semifinals
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Lionel Messi scored two first-half goals Saturday night as Inter Miami defeated Nashville SC 4-0 in Game 3 of their playoff series at Chase Stadium. The victory before 19,049 fans sent Miami to the Eastern Conference semifinals for the first time in club history.
Miami won the best-of-three series 2-1 after Nashville had evened things with a 3-1 win in Game 2 on the road. Luis Suárez was suspended for this match after MLS reviewed tape from Game 1 and issued a retroactive ban.
The rivalry between these teams showed throughout the night. Messi and Nashville players argued several times during the match. The Argentine star made his frustration clear - he wanted to beat Nashville badly, and he did.
Messi opened scoring in the 10th minute. Tadeo Allende sent a through ball between Nashville defenders, and Messi chipped the ball over goalkeeper Joe Willis from outside the box. It was a classic Messi finish - patient, precise, and perfectly placed.
Nashville tried to press Miami early but couldn't create much. Hany Mukhtar drew several fouls trying to get his team going forward, but Miami controlled most of the first half. Jack Maher fouled Messi near midfield in the 29th minute, setting off a scuffle between players from both teams. Referee Rosendo Mendoza stepped in and handed out yellow cards to settle things down.
Messi added his second goal in the 39th minute. Mateo Silvetti drove toward the box from the right and passed back to Messi at the top of the 18-yard area. Messi didn't wait - he hit a left-footed shot into the bottom corner before Nashville's defenders could close him down. Willis got a hand to it but couldn't keep it out. At 2-0, Miami took full control into halftime.
Nashville came out pressing in the second half, looking for a way back into the match. The visitors earned three corners in the first 10 minutes after the break. Sam Surridge got a good look in the 62nd minute when Mukhtar played him through, but Miami goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo made the save.
Miami put the game away with two goals in three minutes. Tadeo Allende scored in the 73rd minute when Jordi Alba crossed from the left wing. Allende met the ball at the far post and headed it back across goal into the net.
Three minutes later, Messi returned the favor. He threaded a pass through Nashville's defense that sent Allende clear on goal. The forward stayed calm and slotted the ball past Willis to make it 4-0. The crowd at Chase Stadium knew the game was over.
The last 15 minutes got chippy. Both teams picked up yellow cards - four each by the final whistle. Daniel Lovitz got booked in the 80th minute for a hard foul on Messi that nearly started another fight. Even Messi was shown yellow in the 77th minute for arguing with the referee.
The statistics showed an even match in some areas. Both teams took 11 shots total. Miami had five on target to Nashville's four. Nashville won six corners while Miami didn't earn any. But Miami made their chances count - four goals from five shots on target.
Messi finished the three-game series with five goals and three assists - involved in all eight Miami goals. Allende scored twice on Saturday and worked hard all night. Alba made dangerous runs up the left side despite being 35 years old. Sergio Busquets controlled Miami's midfield even while Nashville tried to pressure him. For Nashville, Walker Zimmerman and Jack Maher defended well but couldn't stop Miami's quality in key moments.
Miami will travel to Cincinnati for the Eastern Conference semifinal on November 22 or 23. The single-elimination match will be tough - FC Cincinnati beat Miami 3-0 in Ohio during the regular season back in July. The teams also drew 0-0 when Cincinnati visited Fort Lauderdale.
This is new territory for Inter Miami. The club has never advanced this far in the MLS playoffs before. The old Miami Fusion team reached the semifinals in 2001, but that was a different franchise. This is Inter Miami's breakthrough.
The victory means even more for Miami's veteran core. Alba and Busquets are retiring after this playoff run ends. They're three wins from the MLS Cup trophy. For Nashville, the season ends in frustration. The bad blood between these teams only got worse during this series. When they meet again next year, it won't be friendly.
