Even with Messi on the field and another goal to his name, Inter Miami fell 2–1 to Nashville and will now have to face a decisive third match in the MLS Eastern Conference playoffs. The result, built in the first half, exposed the gap between a team full of big names and another that simply knows what it’s doing on the field. Inter controlled possession and tried to dictate the pace, but Nashville turned its chances into goals and showed composure at home.
Nashville makes home advantage count
Just nine minutes in, Sam Surridge converted a penalty with precision to open the scoring. Inter tried to respond with Suárez, who hit the post, but Nashville’s rhythm was on another level. Compact, organized, and patient, the team waited for the right moment to strike again. In the 45th minute, Josh Bauer found space in the box after a corner kick and scored the second goal. It was the defender’s first playoff goal for the club, a reminder of how every detail matters at this stage. The first half ended 2–0, with the feeling that Inter, despite having more of the ball, played for volume rather than efficiency.
Messi pulls one back, but Inter can’t react
In the second half, Inter Miami kept its main stars on the field. Mascherano relied on experience and left Messi, Suárez, Busquets, and De Paul out there until the end. The Florida side held onto possession but couldn’t find gaps to break through. Nashville dropped its lines, clogged the midfield, and cut off Miami’s attack. When the clock hit the 88th minute, De Paul found Messi on the right side of the box. The Argentine shifted to his left foot and fired a powerful shot into the net. A beauty. It was Messi’s 32nd goal of the season.
Still, that was as far as the comeback went. The Herons couldn’t create another clear chance and left the field with more possession but fewer results. Nashville, on the other hand, pulled off something special. The team knew from the start it wasn’t the favorite in this matchup, yet it broke its own record for goals in a single season, combining regular season and playoffs, reaching 61.
Now, everything will be decided in Miami. On Saturday, Inter will need to show more than just big names. The squad has plenty of talent but must turn possession into danger. Nashville proved once again that you don’t need to shine to win.