Lionel Messi scores twice, Inter Miami beats Nashville SC 3-1

SPORTSAREENA.comApril 21, 2024

9 2 minutes read

Lionel Messi scored twice to extend his Major League Soccer-leading whole to seven and likewise had an help to guide Inter Miami over Nashville SC 3-1 on Saturday night time.

Messi had his second two-goal sport in MLS after scoring two in opposition to Orlando on March 2. He has a purpose or help in every of the six league matches he is performed, lacking 4 due to damage.

Sergio Busquets scored his first purpose with Miami since becoming a member of former Barcelona teammate Messi final summer time.

Miami (5-2-3, 21 factors) is unbeaten in 5 matches in opposition to Nashville since Messi’s arrival. Miami additionally remained in first place within the Eastern Conference.

For the second consecutive week, Miami allowed a purpose within the opening minutes when an personal purpose by Miami defender Franco Neri put Nashville forward. Neri deflected Daniel Lovitz’s nook kick into the Miami web within the second minute.

That was the one purpose for Nashville (1-6-1, 4).

Miami erased the early deficit with objectives from Messi and Busquets within the eleventh and thirty ninth minutes.

Nashville goalkeeper Elliot Panicco deflected Messi’s 12-yard shot to an open Suárez, who instantly tapped it to Messi. With Panicco out of place, Messi transformed a sliding shot contained in the 6-yard field for the equalizer.

Busquets scored the tiebreaker as he headed Messi’s nook kick to the close to submit previous Panicco.

Goalkeeper Drake Callender saved Miami forward when he made a diving deflection of Hany Mukhtar’s 35-yard blast within the fifty fifth minute.

Messi gave Miami with a two-goal cushion when he transformed on a penalty kick within the 81st minute. Nashville’s Josh Bauer fouled Leo Alfonso on the sting of the penalty then Messi beat reserve goalkeeper Joe Willis contained in the left submit.

Messi’s former Barcelona teammate Jordi Alba did not play due to a hamstring damage.

Miami will go to New England subsequent Saturday, whereas Nashville hosts San Jose.

Reporting by The Associated Press.