Lionel Messi delivered a masterclass performance, scoring twice and assisting twice in Inter Miami’s 4-0 victory over Nashville on Saturday to secure their spot in the MLS Cup playoffs’ second round.
The Argentine legend opened the scoring in the 10th minute and struck again in the 39th, before setting up compatriot Tadeo Allende for two more goals in the 73rd and 76th minutes, sealing Miami’s dominant win.
“I want to congratulate Leo for the game he played,” Miami coach Javier Mascherano said. “He was the first one who guided us in high pressure. To see him press like that at 38 years old is crazy. We all know about Leo with the ball, but what happened with Leo without the ball today was impressive.”
With the win, Inter Miami claimed the best-of-three Eastern Conference first-round series 2-1, booking a semifinal clash with FC Cincinnati, who advanced after defeating Columbus 2-1 in their own series decider.
“The team played an almost perfect game,” Mascherano said. “There are always things to improve, but we were at a very high level in all lines, very intense from the first minute, very organized and very good in high pressure.”
Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi ensured Miami avoided another early playoff exit, having been eliminated in the first round in 2022 and 2023 by New York City FC and Atlanta United, respectively.
“It would have been very unfair to be eliminated at this stage,” Mascherano noted. “What happened last year had remained a bit in the atmosphere and you could feel that fear that it could happen again. And now there is nothing better than looking forward.”
Miami’s Luis Suárez was unavailable for the match, serving a one-game suspension from Major League Soccer for violent conduct in last week’s loss at Nashville.
Messi’s first goal came after he pounced on a deflected ball, drove to the top of the box, and fired a low left-footed strike into the bottom corner. He doubled the lead later in the first half, finishing from just outside the area after receiving a neat pass from teenage Argentine teammate Mateo Silvetti.
Allende’s brace followed in the second half—first tapping in from close range after a fluid build-up involving Messi and Jordi Alba, and then lofting a delightful chip over the goalkeeper after collecting a long ball from Messi.
At Cincinnati, Brazilian striker Brenner Souza scored twice—in the 67th and 86th minutes—to overturn a 1-0 deficit against Columbus, sending his team through to face Miami in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
“It’s going to be a very tough conference semifinal,” Mascherano said. “We were below in the regular season but in the second leg we played here I was left with very good feelings.”
Minnesota Edges Seattle in Dramatic Shootout
In another gripping fixture, 10-man Minnesota United stunned Seattle Sounders 7-6 on penalties after a 3-3 draw in a Western Conference thriller.
The drama peaked in the 10th round of the shootout when Seattle’s substitute goalkeeper Andrew Thomas, who entered specifically for the shootout despite injuring his hand earlier, hit his penalty against the crossbar.
Jordan Morris had equalized for Seattle in the 88th minute to force the shootout, but the Sounders faltered under pressure. Minnesota’s goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair, recently crowned MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, not only made crucial saves but also scored in the decisive 10th round before Thomas’s miss sealed the win.
With the victory, Minnesota advanced to the next round, where they await the winner between Portland and San Diego.
What You Should Know
Lionel Messi’s standout performance against Nashville pushed Inter Miami into the MLS Eastern Conference semifinals, continuing his incredible influence since joining the club.
Coach Javier Mascherano praised Messi’s leadership and intensity, while Miami now prepares for a challenging matchup against Cincinnati.
