FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Inter Miami star Lionel Messi started Wednesday’s match on a tear, assisting and scoring a goal in the first 23 minutes against Nashville SC in the second leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup round-of-16 bout.
But five minutes into the second half, Messi came off the pitch as a surprise substitute. Messi experienced some discomfort in his right hamstring, and left the match as a precaution.
Inter Miami didn’t need him anymore, anyway, defeating Nashville 3-1 – and 5-3 on aggregate – to advance to the quarterfinals of the Concacaf Champions Cup tournament.
Inter Miami awaits the winner of CF Monterrey and FC Cincinnati in the next round. Those teams will play in Mexico on Thursday night, with Monterrey up 1-0.
What did Inter Miami coach Tata Martino say about Lionel Messi injury?
“We didn’t want to run a risk,” Inter Miami coach Tata Martino said of Messi, who has scored five goals in six matches overall this season. “We tried to see if he could go a little longer, but we preferred for him to get out of the game.”
Martino said Messi undergo imaging to see the extent of his injury, and would not be available for Inter Miami’s match Saturday against D.C. United at Audi Field in Washington D.C.
“I don’t want to risk it, but I would imagine for Saturday’s match he will not be available,” Martino said. “Looking ahead, we’ll evaluate. He’ll get some imaging done. And we’ll see how it develops.”
How did Messi perform against Nashville SC in Champions Cup?
Messi assisted on Luis Suárez’s goal in the eighth minute of the match, and scored in the 23rd minute after an assist from Diego Gomez to give Inter Miami a 2-0 lead early in the first half.
Messi joined his teammates for the start of the second half, but walked off the pitch after five minutes with Robert Taylor coming into the match.
Nashville coach Gary Smith’s reaction to Messi’s early exit? “Thank goodness,” he said.
Ultimately, Messi’s early exit did not matter.
Taylor scored a header goal from Suárez about 13 minutes after entering the game to give Inter Miami a 3-0 lead, and secure a major cushion over Nashville.
It was Messi and Suárez who rescued Inter Miami when Nashville took a 2-0 lead in the first leg of their Champions Cup matchup. And it was the dynamic duo who has fueled Inter Miami’s quarterfinal berth.
“They started very, very brightly and we were not able to control the first 15 minutes,” Smith said. “It won them the game.”
Nashville’s Sam Surridge scored in the 92nd minute to spoil Inter Miami goalie Drake Callender’s clean sheet.
It was the second time Inter Miami beat Nashville in four matches – the most frequent opponent Messi has faced in MLS. Although the previous three matches were draws, the first ended in 10-9 penalty kicks with Inter Miami winning the Leagues Cup tournament on Aug. 19, 2023.
Robert Taylor goal: inter Miami 3, Nashville 0
Robert Taylor rose in the air, and delivered a beauty of a header to give Inter Miami a 3-0 lead over Nashville on Wednesday night.
Taylor received the ball from Luis Suárez, who also scored earlier in the match.
Inter Miami has a 5-2 lead in aggregate, and easing any concern why Lionel Messi was pulled early in the second half.
Lionel Messi subs out in 50th minute: Inter Miami 2, Nashville 0
Lionel Messi is coming off the pitch, leaving the game after being substituted in the 50th minute – just five minutes after the second half began.
It’s unclear why Messi has left early, perhaps a precaution with a match Saturday against D.C. United and two matches with Argentina later this month.
But the window as opened for Nashville to jump back into this game.
Messi scores goal: Inter Miami 2, Nashville 0
Lionel Messi thought he got fouled, but didn’t give up on the play.
Diego Gomez penetrated and dished to Messi, who did the rest with his legendary left boot in the 23rd minute.
Luis Suárez goal: Inter Miami 1, Nashville 0
Inter Miami is on the board, and Lionel Messi’s impact has already been felt.
Messi found close friend Luis Suárez open for a breakaway goal in the 8th minute of the match.
The score came right after Messi’s first shot on goal was too high. But Inter Miami has an early lead over Nashville, and a 3-2 lead in the aggregate.
Messi gets foul, free kick: Inter Miami 0, Nashville 0
Messi broke away with a head of steam in the fourth minute, and was fouled as he approached the penalty area.
But Messi’s free kick collided into a wall of defenders.
It was a moment where Messi’s acceleration was on prime display, but an early opportunity Inter Miami could not convert.
How to watch Inter Miami vs. Nashville SC live stream
The Inter Miami vs. Nashville match kicks off at 8:15 p.m. ET on FS2 in English and TUDN in Spanish.
TICKETS: See Messi and Inter Miami in person vs. Nashville SC
SHOP: Get the latest Messi and Inter Miami gear from the MLS Store
Starting 11s for Inter Miami, Nashville SC
Lionel Messi, as well as his former FC Barcelona teammates Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, are in the starting lineup for Inter Miami. Alba started Sunday’s game, while Busquets and Suárez came on as second-half substitutes.
For Nashville SC, Taylor Washington starts in place of two-time MLS Defender of the Year Walker Zimmerman, who suffered a knee injury in last week’s Concacaf Champions Cup game vs. Inter Miami.
Messi arrives for Inter Miami vs. Nashville SC
All smiles from Messi and he walked into Chase Stadium for tonight’s match.
Inter Miami vs. Nashville score predictions
Safid Deen, Lionel Messi reporter, USA TODAY:
Inter Miami 3, Nashville 2: Messi and Luis Suárez need to lead the way again for Inter Miami, but they won’t trail from the jump like the first leg. Still, Nashville will be persistent and test Miami like they have in three previous matchups.
Jacob Shames, Nashville SC beat writer, The Tennessean:
Messi is a ‘conundrum’ for Nashville coach Gary Smith
Nashville will face Messi for the fourth time — the most of any opponent since he joined Inter Miami and MLS.
“You try to set up a group to try and limit what he’s able to do. He’s proved throughout his career, at the very best levels,” Smith said. “No matter how good you are defensively or how organized you are, the caliber of the individual will always find a way.”
Inter Miami vs. Nashville Champions Cup highlights
What happened in the first matchup? Messi scored a goal in the 52nd minute, while Luis Suárez’s header in the fifth minute of extra time helped Inter Miami storm back to finish a 2-2 draw against Nashville in the first leg last Thursday. Nashville’s Jacob Shaffelburg scored twice in the opening minutes of each half to give his side a 2-0 lead.
What does Inter Miami need to advance in Champions Cup?
Inter Miami needs an outright win, or a 0-0 draw or 1-1 draw to advance.
What does Nashville need to advance in Champions Cup?
Nashville needs an outright win, or a draw with the score of at least 3 goals to advance.
What if Inter Miami and Nashville need a tiebreaker in Champions Cup?
If the aggregate score, or the results of both matches added together remains tied, away goals will work as the first tiebreaker.
If Inter Miami and Nashville play to another 2-2 draw Wednesday, they will play extra time. If the score remains tied, it will be decided by penalty kicks.
What’s next for the Inter Miami-Nashville winner?
The Inter Miami-Nashville winner will face either LIGA MX side C.F. Monterrey or MLS side FC Cincinnati, the 2023 Supporters’ Shield winners.
The quarterfinals for the Concacaf Champions Cup will be held April 2-11.
What is Messi and Inter Miami’s upcoming schedule?
Messi will likely play his final match of the month with Inter Miami on Saturday, before joining Argentina for two Copa America warmups later this month.
Inter Miami visits D.C. United on Saturday. Then, Messi will join Argentina for a match against El Salvador in Philadelphia on March 22, and Costa Rica in Los Angeles on March 26.
Messi could miss two Inter Miami games: Inter Miami vs. New York Red Bulls on March 23 and Inter Miami vs. New York City FC on March 30 for rest purposes.