Inter Miami, led by Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez, emerged victorious with a 3-1 win over Nashville in the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup round-of-16 match. The game took place in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Messi, making a comeback after being rested in the previous match, made an immediate impact. In the eighth minute, he provided an assist to his former Barcelona teammate Suárez, who scored the opening goal. Shortly after, Messi netted a goal himself, securing a 2-0 lead for Inter Miami in the first half.
However, in the 50th minute, Messi was substituted out of the match, and the reason for his substitution remains unclear. Robert Taylor, Messi’s replacement, further extended Inter Miami’s lead by scoring in the 63rd minute, making it 3-0.
With this victory and a 5-3 aggregate goal advantage, Inter Miami advanced to the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup. The first leg between the two teams had ended in a draw.
Inter Miami forward Luis Suárez scores a goal against Nashville SC goalkeeper Joe Willis (1) during the first half of a CONCACAF Champions Cup soccer match, Wednesday, March 13, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
In the previous match against Nashville, Messi had suffered a calf injury, but he displayed a strong performance in this game, showcasing his skills and contributing to the team’s success. The fans at the stadium chanted Messi’s name as he scored a goal from inside the penalty area.
Nashville had a chance to reduce the deficit late in the second half, but the goal was overturned after a VAR review due to an offside call. Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender made two saves before conceding a goal to Sam Surridge in stoppage time.
This match marked the fourth encounter between Inter Miami and Nashville since Messi joined the team and the MLS last summer. Messi and Suárez had previously played together at Barcelona, and their partnership proved fruitful once again.
Inter Miami’s head coach, Gerardo “Tata” Martino, had decided to rest Messi in the previous game against Montreal, and it seemed to have benefited the star player, as he showcased his skills and helped his team secure the victory.
The win against Nashville not only propelled Inter Miami into the next stage of the tournament but also added to the team’s growing success in their pursuit of the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Inter Miami forward Luis Suárez celebrates scoring a first half goal against Nashville SC in a CONCACAF Champions Cup soccer match Wednesday, March 13, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Michael Laughlin)
Inter Miami forward Luis Suárez, left, celebrates with teammates after scoring a first half goal against Nashville SC in a CONCACAF Champions Cup soccer match, Wednesday, March 13, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi races ahead of Nashville SC midfielder Anibal Godoy during the first half of a CONCACAF Champions Cup soccer match Wednesday, March 13, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
