Miami: Lionel Messi produced another moment of brilliance, scoring a spectacular second-half goal, but Inter Miami were denied victory as Nashville SC grabbed a dramatic late equalizer to secure a 2-2 draw in MLS.
Nashville made a fast start, with Sam Surridge opening the scoring in the fourth minute after an assist from Andy Najar. Inter Miami responded in the 19th minute when a Messi corner led to an own goal by Reed Baker-Whiting, bringing the hosts level.
Messi then produced the moment of the night after the break. The Argentine superstar unleashed a stunning effort from outside the box to put Inter Miami ahead 2-1. The goal was Messi’s 19th in MLS this season, further extending his remarkable scoring campaign.
However, Nashville refused to give up. In the closing moments of regulation time, Shakur Mohammed’s effort was saved by Inter Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair, but Surridge reacted quickest to the rebound and fired home his second goal of the night to make it 2-2.
The result leaves Nashville at the top of the Eastern Conference, while Inter Miami have now gone three consecutive matches without a victory. Messi was nevertheless one of the standout performers of the night.
