FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Lionel Messi‘s two goals in the first half led Inter Miami to a commanding 4-0 win over Nashville SC at Chase Stadium on Saturday, marking the club’s first advancement in the MLS playoffs.
Tadeo Allende added two late goals to seal the victory, with Messi assisting the second.
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This victory allowed Miami to complete the Round 1 series 2-1, propelling them to the Eastern Conference semifinal against the No. 2 seed, FC Cincinnati.
“I believe the team performed almost perfectly,” Miami coach Javier Mascherano stated. “While it’s not perfect, there’s always room for improvement. However, we executed at an exceptionally high level across the board, showing intensity from the outset, being highly organized, and effectively pressing high.”
“I’m incredibly grateful to these players for fully understanding the stakes today and the significance of placing the club in uncharted territory. They delivered an outstanding performance.”
Inter Miami faced challenges entering the game, missing Luis Suárez, who was suspended for one match due to violent conduct in Game 2 of the series last week.
Despite Suárez’s absence, Miami seized the early lead in the 10th minute when Messi took control in the final third and scored into the lower-right corner.
Messi scored again towards the end of the first half, assisted by Mateo Silvetti, who took Suárez’s place in the starting lineup. For the 19-year-old Silvetti, who shares Messi’s hometown of Rosario, Argentina, it was a particularly special moment.
“I may not realize it now, but tomorrow it will sink in that I assisted Messi for a goal,” Silvetti remarked. “It’s already an honor to share the field with Messi and to have moments with him and my elite teammates.”
Miami continued to exert control over the match, with Allende scoring two goals within five minutes to secure their progression.
Despite Nashville attempting 11 shots during the game, goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo earned the team its first clean sheet of the 2025 postseason.
Messi, who recently captured the Golden Boot during the regular season, concluded the three-game series with five goals. He has scored 12 goals against Nashville in seven matches, the most against any MLS opponent since joining in July 2023.
As the No. 3 seed in the East, Miami is set to face FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium in Ohio for the one-game Eastern Conference semifinal. Previously, Miami had failed to advance past the first round in the playoffs, losing in 2022 and 2024.
In 2024, during Messi’s first full season with the club, Miami was eliminated in the opening round against Atlanta after winning the Supporters’ Shield.
Mascherano acknowledged the weight of last year’s disappointment as the team prepared for another Game 3.
“I’m thrilled because the team has consistently given its all throughout the season, with its ups and downs,” he noted. “We’ve had significant success in the regular season and other competitions, and it would have been unjust to be eliminated at this stage.”
“I’m also glad for the club itself because after last year’s situation, there was a palpable anxiety that it could repeat this year. Now, we can finally look ahead; what’s past is behind us, and it’s time to focus on the future. I prefer to maintain a balanced perspective as we move forward.”
Saturday’s victory guaranteed at least one more game for Messi’s longtime teammates Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, both of whom have announced their intentions to retire at the end of the season.
The winner between Inter Miami and Cincinnati will advance to play either the top-seeded Philadelphia Union or the fifth-seeded New York City FC in the Eastern Conference final.
This report contains information from The Associated Press and ESPN Research.