Inter Miami vs Nashville SC score, result, highlights as Lionel Messi picks up two goals in MLS win
When Lionel Messi is on the field, there’s no debate about who is the best player in Major League Soccer.
Inter Miami benefitted greatly from the Argentine’s brilliance yet again as two goals and an assist from Messi saw the Herons top Nashville SC 3-1 to strengthen their lead atop the Eastern Conference standings.
Nashville went in front just two minutes into the match on an own-goal from Franco Negri, in the lineup as a replacement for injured Jordi Alba, but from there Messi took command of the Chase Stadium pitch.
Messi leveled the score in the 11th minute, and then served up a corner to longtime teammate Sergio Busquets for the lead in the 39th minute, as the Inter Miami No. 6 scored his first goal for the club.
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Nashville looked threatening throughout the match, but struggled to put themselves in a position to beat Drake Callender who made multiple quality saves.
Inter Miami faded a bit after halftime, feeling the effects of Diego Gomez’s absence after the Paraguayan went down before the break with what looked to be a serious injury. Yet they weathered the Nashville second-half storm, and Messi carried them ever forward, as Gomez’s replacement Leo Afonso won a penalty 10 minutes from full-time and the Argentine buried the spot-kick.
All told, Messi finished the game on seven goals and six assists for the young season, leading the league in both categories despite having played far fewer minutes than the others near the top of the charts.
The Sporting News followed the Inter Miami vs. Nashville SC match live, providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happened.
Kickoff: 7:37 p.m. ET / 4:37 p.m. PT
Location: Chase Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
Referee: Ismael Elfath
Starting
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