FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida — Lionel Messi delivered another masterclass on Saturday night, scoring two goals and assisting two more to power Inter Miami to a 4-0 rout of Nashville SC in Game 3 of their MLS Cup first-round playoff series. The win sends Miami to the Eastern Conference semifinals — the club’s first-ever postseason advancement in franchise history.
Messi Dominates as Miami Advances
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner continued his remarkable debut MLS season, finishing the series with five goals and three assists — meaning he was directly involved in all eight of Miami’s goals against Nashville.
Messi now has 15 career goals against Nashville SC, more than against any other MLS opponent.
“It was one of those games where everything clicked,” said Inter Miami coach Tata Martino post-match. “When Messi is in this kind of form, everything flows through him.”
Miami will next face No. 2 seed FC Cincinnati in a one-game Eastern Conference semifinal in two weeks. Messi has yet to score against Cincinnati, adding extra intrigue to the clash.
Match Summary: Miami 4–0 Nashville SC
Despite being without suspended striker Luis Suárez, Miami showed no signs of slowing down. Tadeo Allende scored a second-half brace and added an assist, while Jordi Alba and Mateo Silvetti provided creative support from the flanks.
- 10th minute: Messi opened the scoring after intercepting a misplayed back pass, driving into space, and firing a precise low shot past Nashville goalkeeper Joe Willis.
- 39th minute: A defensive lapse from Walker Zimmerman gifted Miami possession again. Silvetti squared the ball to Messi, who calmly slotted home his second.
- 73rd minute: Allende made it 3–0, finishing off a quick one-two between Messi and Alba.
- 76th minute: Messi slipped a through ball to Allende, who chipped over Willis for his second of the night.
Nashville briefly thought they had equalized early in the second half through Sam Surridge, but the goal was disallowed due to a foul in the buildup.
Historic Night for Inter Miami
The 4-0 win capped a dominant series for Miami, marking their first-ever playoff series victory since joining Major League Soccer in 2020.
Inter Miami finished the regular season as the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, largely thanks to Messi’s midseason arrival, which transformed the team’s form and fortunes.
Without Suárez, Miami’s attack still looked fluid and balanced — a promising sign ahead of their upcoming semifinal test against Cincinnati.
Nashville’s Postseason Woes Continue
For Nashville SC, the loss marked a third straight first-round playoff exit, extending a frustrating postseason trend. Under head coach BJ Callaghan, the team showed defensive discipline during the regular season but struggled to contain Messi’s creativity and Allende’s pace.
Zimmerman’s costly error and a lack of attacking cohesion doomed Nashville’s hopes of advancing.
What’s Next for Inter Miami
Inter Miami will travel to Cincinnati for the Eastern Conference semifinal later this month. The winner advances to the MLS Cup Conference Finals, just two wins away from the league championship.
“We know what’s at stake now,” Messi told reporters. “Every game is a final. We’ll prepare for Cincinnati and try to keep improving.”
⚽ Key Match Stats
| Statistic | Inter Miami | Nashville SC |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 4 | 0 |
| Shots on target | 8 | 3 |
| Possession | 64% | 36% |
| Pass accuracy | 88% | 74% |
| Corners | 6 | 2 |
| Fouls | 9 | 11 |
Key Takeaways
- Messi: 2 goals, 2 assists (involved in all 4 goals)
- Allende: 2 goals, 1 assist
- Suárez: Suspended
- Miami: Advances to first-ever MLS Cup semifinal
- Next opponent: FC Cincinnati
🏆 Quote of the Night
“We’ve made history tonight,” said Miami’s Tadeo Allende. “To do it alongside Leo [Messi] makes it even more special.”
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