On Saturday night at Chase Stadium, Inter Miami defeated Nashville SC 2-1 in Major League Soccer. Lionel Messi showed his class early in the match by scoring the opener with a brilliant free kick, and later added his second in the second half.
The Herons came into this match riding a strong winning streak. After wrapping up their run in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, they returned to domestic competition with back-to-back victories over CF Montreal and the New England Revolution. Those wins helped them climb the standings in the Eastern Conference, gradually making up for the ground lost during their Club World Cup campaign.
Despite having played just three days ago in Massachusetts, Javier Mascherano opted to repeat nearly his entire starting XI on Saturday at Chase Stadium. That means the teamās top stars were on the fieldāled, of course, by Lionel Messi.
The Argentine forward is in exceptional form. He entered this match having scored 9 goals in his last 5 MLS games with Inter Miami. That run includes four consecutive braces: first against Montreal and Columbus Crew before the Club World Cup, and then again against the Canadian side and New England last week.
Messi scores twice vs. Nashville
Lionel Messiās run of four consecutive braces already earned him an MLS record, as the first player in league history to score multiple goals in four straight matches. And on Saturday, he added another to that impressive streak.
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After a brief spell of shared control between Inter Miami and Nashville, referee Dujic awarded the hosts a free kick right on the edge of the boxāan ideal spot for Messi. Nashville goalkeeper Joe Willis set up a crowded wall to make things difficult for Leo, but it didnāt matter. The Argentine forward struck with precision and power to fire in the opener.
After halftime, Nashville SC found the equalizer through Hany Mukhtar, who headed home a cross from the right, leaving goalkeeper Ustari with no chance. However, that joy was short-lived for the visitors. In the 62nd minute, Messi capitalized on a mistake by the opposing keeper, stealing the ball inside the box and finishing for his second of the night.
Inter Miami want to climb in the East
With their 2-1 win over Nashville, Inter Miami secured their fifth consecutive victory in MLS. Thanks to this impressive streak, theyāre closing in on the top of the Eastern Conference standings, now sitting at 38 pointsājust five behind the leaders, Philadelphia Union.
However, the Herons hold a key advantage: they have played three fewer matches than their rivals due to their participation in the Club World Cup. As a result, theyāve had toāand will continue toāplay midweek games to catch up. If their winning form continues, Messi and company could soon find themselves leading the table.
