Thanks to Lionel Messi, Inter Miami has made a successful start to the MLS playoffs. Opponents Nashville were unlucky with two of the three goals they conceded – and delivered their own highlight too late.
Even before Inter Miami kicked off their first playoff round against Nashville SC on Saturday night (CEST), chants of “Messi, Messi” echoed through Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. Lionel Messi was honored as the regular season’s top scorer for the first time – and then demonstrated his sensational form in the game.
MLS rule helps Inter to 2-0 win
The 38-year-old Argentine, who has just extended his contract for another three years, gave Inter the lead in the 19th minute in an unusual way: with a header. In mid-air, he deflected a perfect cross from Luis Suarez into the net to give his side the lead at half-time. After the restart, his compatriot Tadeo Allende also scored with a header. Messi had previously played in Ian Fray on the right wing (62′).
It was a bitter blow for Nashville: the visitors had to play with ten men during this phase because Jeisson Palacios had previously received treatment on the pitch and MLS rules stipulate that the player in question must wait two minutes before returning to the pitch in such cases.
The Eastern Conference’s sixth-placed team was also unlucky with the third goal deep into stoppage time: goalkeeper Joe Willis failed to hold onto a cross from Jordi Alba, and Messi pounced to score the first playoff brace of his career (90+6).
However, Hany Mukhtar provided the final highlight of the game. The Berlin native, once MLS top scorer himself and long a club legend at Nashville SC, curled a free kick from just under 25 meters over the wall and into the net (90+11) to make it 1-3.
Teammate Sam Surridge, who had long enjoyed the best prospects of winning the top scorer crown but was clearly overtaken by Messi in the final sprint, remained lackluster at the start. Nashville must now win their home game against Inter in a week’s time to keep their chances of advancing alive.
Messi & Co. should be warned: last year, they also started with a win against Atlanta United, only to suddenly have a summer break two games later. “That won’t be enough,” coach Javier Mascherano warned immediately. “We have to improve.” The winner of the tie will face Columbus Crew or FC Cincinnati in the Conference Semifinals.
