Messi Delivers a Playoff Breakthrough as Inter Miami Destroys Nashville 4-0

Match recap

Argentine star Lionel Messi scored twice as Inter Miami crushed Nashville 4-0 on Saturday, in the third game of MLS Cup Playoffs first-round series, sealing a place in the second round.

The former Barcelona great opened the scoring in the 10th minute, then added a second before the 39th, before teeing up two decisive passes for his compatriot Tadio Allendi, who found the net in the 73rd and 76th minutes.

Inter Miami boss Javier Mascherano, also Argentine, said: 'I want to congratulate Lio on the game. He was the first to press high for us. Seeing Lio press like that at 38 is amazing.'

And the former Barcelona midfielder added: 'We all know Lio with the ball, but what he did without it today was amazing'.

Inter Miami completed the first-round series in the Eastern Conference 2-1, earning a date with Cincinnati in another best-of-three after Cincinnati beat Columbus 2-1.

Mascherano added: 'The team played nearly a perfect game. There are always things to improve, but we were very sharp across all lines, incredibly hungry from the first minute, highly organized, and pressed brilliantly'.

Messi helped end Inter Miami's playoff drought, after exits in 2023 to Atlanta and 2022 to New York City.

On the upcoming match against Cincinnati, Mascherano said: 'It will be very tough in the conference semifinal'.

Minnesota United beat Seattle on penalties 7-6 after a 3-3 draw to reach the second round.

And New York City won 3-1 over Charlotte in the third knockout.

Tangible Milestones

Messi joined Inter Miami on July 15, 2023, and quickly carved his name in club history by guiding them to their first trophy, the Leagues Cup, just days after his debut. He also helped the team win the 2024 Supporters' Shield, and posted the most points in a single MLS season.

Individually, Messi won MLS MVP in 2024, the 2025 Golden Boot, and remains a finalist for 2025 MVP.

Although his contract runs through 2025, the 38-year-old Argentine recently signed a fresh three-year extension to stay in South Florida through 2028.

African Celebration

Messi is set to play for Argentina against an African opponent during the upcoming international window in November. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni selected 24 players for the trip to Luanda, Angola's capital, for a ceremonial match on the 14th, as part of the 50th independence anniversary celebrations.

The captain will be supported in attack by Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez, while Scaloni left out Emiliano Martínez to rest him, preferring Jerónimo Rulli of Marseille, and Watford’s Walter Benítez.

Scaloni also left out familiar names such as Leandro Paredes (Boca Juniors), Marcos Acuña, Lautaro Rivero, Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate), and goalkeeper Facundo Campes (Racing), due to clubs’ busy schedules in the Argentine league.

Additionally, Scaloni called up for the first time striker Joaquín Banisiheli, who leads Ligue 1 with 9 goals in 11 matches, alongside rising talent Gianluca Prestiani and World U-20 runner-up Maxim Perroni.

Argentina begins its camp in Elche, Spain, before heading to Luanda for the sole friendly during this window, scheduled for the 14th. Reports say Angola spent €12 million to host the World Champions.