Argentine superstar Lionel Messi delivered a masterclass performance, scoring twice to lead Inter Miami CF to a 3-1 victory over Nashville SC in the opening match of their MLS Cup round-one playoff series. The win gives Miami a 1-0 advantage in the best-of-three series, with the second game scheduled in Nashville on November 1.
Key Highlights
- Messi scores two goals in MLS Cup playoff opener
- Tadeo Allende adds a header for Inter Miami
- Inter Miami now leads series 1-0
- Messi signs three-year contract extension through 2028
Messi Delivers After Golden Boot Win
Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, had just received the Golden Boot award for topping the MLS regular-season scoring chart with 29 goals in 28 games. He wasted no time showcasing his brilliance, opening the scoring in the 19th minute with a diving header off a pass from Luis Suarez.
The play began with Sergio Busquets gaining possession near the sideline and passing to Rodrigo De Paul, who set up Messi via Suarez.
Miami extended their lead in the 62nd minute when Tadeo Allende scored with a header off a pass from Ian Fray, making it 2-0.
Messi sealed the victory nine minutes into second-half stoppage time, capitalizing on a missed save by Nashville keeper Joe Willis to slot home a pass from Jordi Alba.
Nashville’s late strike by Hany Mukhtar in the 11th minute of stoppage time was merely a consolation, finalizing the 3-1 scoreline.
Reactions and Team Insights
Rodrigo De Paul praised the team’s performance:
“We know that playoffs are tough, so we wanted to start with a win at home. The team did very well in terms of intensity, focus, understanding the moments when to attack and when to defend.”
Javier Mascherano, part of Inter Miami’s squad chasing their first MLS Cup title, emphasized that the team cannot ease up despite two consecutive wins over Nashville, including a 5-2 regular-season finale.
“Nashville has a style and way of playing that can cause a lot of damage. We have to keep improving,” Mascherano said.
Messi Extends Stay in MLS
The victory comes a day after Messi signed a three-year contract extension, keeping the 38-year-old in Florida through 2028. MLS Commissioner Don Garber praised Messi’s impact on the league:
“I don’t think we ever could have imagined that Leo would deliver for this club, for this city and for this league the way he had. Having three more years is just another gift.”
De Paul echoed the sentiment, highlighting the advantage of having one of the greatest players in football history on the squad:
“We see him every weekend. We have to keep enjoying him. I’m very happy about the renewal because it means we’ll be together for a few more years.”
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