Messi Shines as Inter Miami Take Control of Playoff Series
Lionel Messi once again proved why he’s the heartbeat of Inter Miami, scoring twice to lead his team to a 3-1 victory over Nashville SC in the first match of their MLS Cup Round One playoff series on Friday night.
The triumph at Chase Stadium gives Inter Miami a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series. The second leg will take place in Nashville on November 1, where Miami will aim to seal their passage to the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Messi Opens the Scoring and Ignites Miami Fans
Messi, who recently claimed the MLS Golden Boot award, opened the scoring in the 19th minute. A perfectly timed cross from Luis Suárez found the Argentine unmarked inside the box, and he made no mistake — nodding home to send the home fans into raptures.
Nashville tried to regroup but struggled to contain Miami’s relentless attack. The hosts maintained possession and dictated the tempo, using Messi’s vision and Suárez’s movement to carve open Nashville’s backline multiple times in the first half.
Allende Doubles the Lead in Second Half
After the break, Inter Miami’s persistence paid off again. In the 62nd minute, midfielder Tadeo Allende capitalized on a rebound, calmly slotting the ball past Nashville goalkeeper Joe Willis to make it 2-0.
The goal reflected Miami’s attacking dominance and composure. Despite a few counterattacks from Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge, Nashville failed to capitalize on their limited chances, with Miami’s defense — led by Sergio Busquets and DeAndre Yedlin — keeping things tight at the back.
Messi’s Late Magic Seals the Victory
As the clock ticked into stoppage time, Messi once again took center stage. Receiving a pass from Jordi Alba, he glided past two defenders and curled a trademark left-footed strike into the bottom corner to secure the win.
The goal — Messi’s second of the night and 31st across all competitions this season — highlighted his continued brilliance even at 38 years old. It was a reminder that the Argentine maestro still commands the stage with effortless precision.
Though Hany Mukhtar pulled one back for Nashville in the dying moments, it proved only a consolation as Inter Miami comfortably closed out the match.
Mascherano Praises Team Spirit and Depth
Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano lauded his players’ performance and collective effort after the game.
“At this stage, every player matters,” Mascherano said in his post-match remarks. “We’ve worked hard to build a team that stays focused under pressure. Everyone knows their role — and tonight’s result shows that.”
Mascherano also highlighted Messi’s leadership both on and off the pitch, crediting his influence for transforming the squad into genuine title contenders.
“Leo sets the tone for us. His mentality, his hunger, and his calmness in key moments — that’s what drives this team forward,” he said.
Golden Boot Presentation Honors Messi’s Historic Season
Before kickoff, MLS Commissioner Don Garber presented Messi with the Golden Boot trophy for finishing as the league’s top scorer with 29 goals in 28 matches during the regular season.
Garber praised Messi’s impact on the league, calling him a transformative figure for both Inter Miami and American soccer as a whole.
“We could never have imagined how much Leo would elevate this club, this city, and this league,” Garber said during the presentation ceremony.
Messi, visibly emotional, thanked his teammates and the fans for their support. “It’s been a special journey,” he said. “We play to bring joy to people, and tonight, we did that together.”
Inter Miami Eye MLS Cup Glory
With the first playoff win secured, Inter Miami have taken a major step toward their MLS Cup ambitions. The team will now turn its attention to Game 2 in Nashville, where they can close out the series and advance to the next round.
Analysts believe Miami’s attacking trio — Messi, Suárez, and Allende — poses one of the most dangerous threats in the postseason. If their chemistry continues to flourish, the club could be on the verge of its first MLS Cup triumph.
Messi’s brace, his Golden Boot honor, and the team’s overall performance send a clear message to the rest of the league: Inter Miami are not just contenders — they’re favorites.
