FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are moving on in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
Messi had two goals and two assists – including the 400th of his career for club and country – and No. 3 seed Inter Miami beat No. 6 seed Nashville SC 4-0 in the decisive Game 3 of their first-round series on Saturday, Nov. 8 at Chase Stadium.
Tadeo Allende also scored twice in a three-minute span in the second half, as Inter Miami is three matches away from their first MLS Cup title.
Inter Miami will visit No. 2 FC Cincinnati in the conference semifinals, beginning Nov. 22 or 23. Every match moving forward in the MLS playoffs is single elimination.
Inter Miami was on the brink in the first round for the second straight year, but relied on their Argentine World Cup champion and captain to lead the way.
“I’m happy for the club because after what happened last year, there were lingering feelings and a fear it could happen again,” Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said after the win. “Now, we can look ahead.”
Messi scored twice in the first half – his first coming 10 minutes into the match. He dribbled around several defenders, and connected with a left boot into the lower right corner of the net on an assist from Allende.
Messi doubled the lead in the 39th minute, connecting on a drop pass from 19-year-old Argentine Mateo Silvetti, who played on Argentina’s runner-up Under-20 World Cup team and started in place of a suspended Luis Suarez in the match.
Messi also orchestrated Allende’s goals in the second half. Messi and Jordi Alba exchanged several passes in the box before Allende scored in the 73rd minute.
Messi’s finishing touch was a through pass up the pitch to Allende in the 76th minute to register his historic assist to end the night.
“It’s crazy. Every game, you’re kinda speechless. It’s unbelievable I get to play with him,” Inter Miami defender Noah Allen said of Messi after the match. “He creates magic. It’s unreal.”
Inter Miami goalie Rocco Ríos Novo earned his first clean sheet of the postseason as Nashville missed 11 shots in the match, despite a second-half push to get back into the contest.
While Messi led the way offensively, he also received praise from Alba and Mascherano for pushing the envelope on the defensive end, as well.
“He really put on a show – both defensively and offensively,” Alba said in an Apple TV interview after the win. “… But defensively, he helped us more than anyone else.”
Added Mascherano: “How he pressed today at 38 years old, it’s crazy. I think we already know everything about Leo with the ball, but Leo without the ball, today, was impressive.”
Messi scored eight goals in a span of four matches in 22 days against Nashville – an MLS rivalry that has been one-sided since Messi joined the league.
Inter Miami beat Nashville for the 2023 Leagues Cup title and has only dropped one match against them since then (Game 2 of this series).
The MLS playoff series victory is the first for Inter Miami, which started play in 2020.
The MLS careers of Alba and Sergio Busquets, the former Barcelona stars who announced they will retire at the end of the 2025 season, will also continue during this postseason run.
“There aren’t many games left. God willing, there will be three more games, and hopefully we can win and bring joy to the fans and ourselves,” Alba said.
Messi is expected to join the Argentine national team next week for a Nov. 14 match against Angola in the African country. Mascherano acknowledged at least seven players would be away on international duty before the next playoff game.
USA TODAY Sports provided updates and highlights from the match:
Inter Miami vs. Nashville highlights
Inter Miami 4, Nashville 0: Tadeo Allende scores brace (76′)
This one is over: Tadeo Allende scores his second goal in a three-minute span, and Inter Miami will move on. Allende received an assist up the field from Messi, and finished the opportunity with ease.
Inter Miami 3, Nashville 0: Tadeo Allende scores goal (73′)
Inter Miami will move on in the MLS Cup playoffs: Tadeo Allende scores in the 73rd minute to triple the lead.
The sequence: Jordi Alba to Messi, back to Alba, and dropped off to Allende in front of the net.
Inter Miami 2, Nashville 0: Sam Surridge misses shot (56′)
Inter Miami 2, Nashville 0: Another Messi dribbling highlight (53′)
Inter Miami 2, Nashville 0: Sam Surridge goal negated (46′)
Nashville’s Sam Surridge gets tangled with Inter Miami defender Maxi Falcon, and a goal was disallowed about 30 seconds into the second half.
Inter Miami 2, Nashville 0: Halftime
Lionel Messi scored twice (10’ and 39’) to propel Inter Miami to a 2-0 lead in the first half of Game 3 against Nashville. Can he get a hat trick in the second half?
Inter Miami 2, Nashville 0: Messi misses free kick before halftime (45’+2′)
Messi lined up for a free kick, but Nashville goalkeeper Joe Willis caught the shot attempt. Messi drew a yellow card after colliding into Walker Zimmerman in the sequence.
Inter Miami 2, Nashville 0: Messi scores second goal (39′)
Messi has a brace, scoring his second goal just before halftime on an assist from 19-year-old Argentine Mateo Silvetti.
Inter Miami 1, Nashville 0: Baltazar Rodriguez misses shot (32′)
Inter Miami performed a set piece in the 32nd minute: Messi sent a pass to Rodriguez, who was just off the mark on his shot from outside the box.
Inter Miami 1, Nashville 0: Messi’s free kick hits Najar (30′)
Inter Miami 1, Nashville 0: Messi nutmegs Edvard Tagseth (19′)
The crowd erupted when Messi pulled off a nutmeg on Nashville’s Edvard Tagseth in the 19th minute. The exchanges from both players after the sequence was comical, too.
Inter Miami 1, Nashville 0: Messi scores goal (10′)
Ten minutes in, and No. 10 has scored: Messi connects on a left boot into the lower right corner of the net to give Inter Miami an early lead.
Inter Miami 0, Nashville 0: Why is Luis Suárez not playing?
Inter Miami will play without Uruguayan striker Luis Suárez, who was suspended for the match and fined for kicking Nashville’s Andy Najar in Game 2. He was seen on the Inter Miami bench during the opening minutes of the game broadcast.
Inter Miami 0, Nashville SC 0: We’re underway (1′)
The match has begun shortly after 8:15 p.m. ET.
Messi arrives for Game 3
What time is Game 3 between Inter Miami vs. Nashville?
The match begins at 8 p.m. ET (7 p.m. CT, 9 p.m. in Argentina) at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Where to watch Inter Miami vs. Nashville Game 3 on TV/live stream?
The match will be available on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV.
Is Messi playing tonight?
Yes, Messi is a starter and will play tonight.
Inter Miami vs. Nashville starting lineups
Mateo Silvetti, a 19-year-old who played on Argentina’s runner-up Under-20 World Cup team, earned the start in place of Suarez on the front line for Inter Miami alongside Messi, Tadeo Allende and Baltazar Rodriguez.
Inter Miami vs. Nashville prediction
Inter Miami 3, Nashville 2: Inter Miami prevails with a brace and an assist by Messi at home, but don’t expect Nashville to just bow away so easily. –Safid Deen
Who does Inter Miami-Nashville winner play next in MLS playoffs?
The winner of Inter Miami-Nashville series will face No. 2 FC Cincinnati, which beat the No. 7 Columbus Crew 2-1 in Game 3 earlier Saturday. Cincinnati would host No. 3 Inter Miami or No. 6 Nashville, whichever advances, in the conference semifinals.
Inter Miami vs. Nashville recent matches
Saturday will be the fourth match in as many weeks between Inter Miami and Nashville.
Decision Day:Messi had a hat trick in a 5-2 win for Inter Miami at Nashville on Oct. 18 to end the regular season.
Game 1: Messi scored twice with an assist in a 3-1 home win for Inter Miami on Oct. 24.
Game 2: Messi scored in the final minutes, but Nashville won 2-1 at home on Nov. 1. Nashville broke an 11-game winless streak against Inter Miami in the victory.
Messi’s upcoming schedule with Inter Miami, Argentina
Messi was called up by Argentina to participate in a November 14 friendly against Angola in the African country. The match occurs during the Nov. 10-18 FIFA international window. It’s possible Messi will travel for the match, even if Inter Miami advances to the next round of the playoffs.
MLS Cup playoff schedule
Nov. 22-23: Conference semifinals
Nov. 29-30: Conference finals
Dec. 6: MLS Cup Final
Inter Miami vs. Nashville betting odds
Here are the betting odds for tonight’s match during regulation, according to BETMGM.
Inter Miami: -165
Draw: +350
Nashville: +340
Over/under goals: 3.5 goals
