Messi Scores But Inter Miami Falls to Nashville, Facing MLS Playoff Elimination
Lionel Messi scored for Inter Miami in their 2-1 MLS playoff loss to Nashville, leaving the series tied and Inter Miami at risk of elimination ahead of the decisive match.
- • Inter Miami lost 2-1 to Nashville SC in the MLS playoff series.
- • Lionel Messi scored late for Inter Miami but it wasn’t enough to avoid defeat.
- • The playoff series is tied 1-1, with a decisive match on November 8 in Fort Lauderdale.
- • Nashville’s coach emphasized the challenge of neutralizing Messi’s impact.
Key details
In the 2025 MLS Cup playoffs, Lionel Messi’s goal was not enough to secure a victory for Inter Miami as they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Nashville SC in the first leg of their knockout round on Saturday night. Despite previous success, including winning the Supporters’ Shield last season, Inter Miami now faces the risk of early playoff elimination. The playoff series is tied 1-1, setting the stage for a decisive match on November 8 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where the winner will advance to the conference semifinals against either Cincinnati or Columbus Crew.
Nashville took an early advantage with goals from Sam Surridge and Josh Bauer. Inter Miami fought back strongly in the second half, with Luis Suárez hitting the post in a bid to equalize before Messi scored late in the 45th minute of the second half. However, they were unable to overcome Nashville’s lead.
Nashville coach B.J. Callaghan highlighted the tactical challenge posed by Messi, noting, “You never think you will eliminate him completely from the game, but you need to neutralize some of the things elite players try to do.” He acknowledged the difficulty in fully containing a player of Messi’s caliber, saying, “It’s our job to prevent that. That’s the beauty of the game.”
The tightly contested series will culminate with the return leg in Fort Lauderdale, where a win is crucial for Inter Miami’s hopes of advancing.