Lionel Messi endured a night to forget as Inter Miami were routed 4-1 by Nashville in a top-of-the-table Major League Soccer clash on Saturday.
In a match billed as a showdown between the league’s leading sides, Nashville proved far too strong, with second-half goals from Sam Surridge and Hany Mukhtar sealing a comprehensive victory. The result underlined Nashville’s dominance at the top of the overall standings.
Messi, the Argentine captain, saw a first-half penalty saved by Nashville goalkeeper Brian Schwake and was booked in the 59th minute. He did manage to set up Inter Miami’s lone goal, scored by Telasco Segovia, but his frustration was compounded in second-half stoppage time when he struck both posts.
The 2022 World Cup winner’s recent record from the spot has been uncharacteristically poor, including two misses at the 2026 World Cup. This latest failure came in the 23rd minute, shortly after Nashville had taken the lead through a 17th-minute header from Honduran defender Andy Najar.
Miami’s equalizer arrived three minutes into first-half added time, when Venezuelan forward Telasco Segovia blasted a right-footed shot into the net after being set up by Messi. But any hopes of a comeback faded quickly after the interval.
Hany Mukhtar, the 2022 MLS Most Valuable Player, restored Nashville’s advantage in the 49th minute. Sam Surridge then extended the lead to 3-1, and Mukhtar added his second of the night in the 63rd minute to put the result beyond doubt.
The defeat snapped Inter Miami’s seven-match undefeated run in MLS and ended their impressive road form, which had been the best in the league at 8-1-1. Nashville, meanwhile, remained unbeaten at home this campaign.
Nashville now sit on 43 points from 19 matches, with a record of 13 wins, two losses and four draws. Inter Miami are second on 38 points. The two teams have developed a growing rivalry, with Nashville having already eliminated Miami from this year’s CONCACAF Champions Cup in the round of 16.
Messi’s night summed up Miami’s struggles, as the defending MLS champions were comprehensively outplayed by a Nashville side that looks increasingly like the team to beat this season.
