Lionel Messi – Foto: Instagram
Lionel Messi’s goal put Inter Miami ahead of Nashville SC in the first half of an MLS match at Geodis Park, Nashville, Tennessee, on Saturday (18). The Argentine scored at the 34th minute with a precise shot from outside the box, securing a 1-0 lead for the visitors. The game, part of the MLS Decision Day, remains ongoing up to the 48th minute, with Nashville pressing for an equalizer.
The match started with both teams vying for control, but the decisive moment came after a brief stoppage. Inter Miami, featuring stars like Luis Suárez and Sergio Busquets, aims to solidify their third place in the Eastern Conference. Nashville SC, the hosts, seeks to climb to the fourth playoff spot with a win.
The clash draws attention due to the race for the MLS top scorer award, with Messi leading at 26 goals this season. Inter Miami, with 62 points, is level with Cincinnati but ahead on goal difference.
Confirmed lineups include:
- Nashville SC: defense with Walker Zimmerman and Jack Maher; midfield led by Hany Mukhtar; attack spearheaded by Sam Surridge.
- Inter Miami: goalkeeper Drake Callender; fullbacks Jordi Alba and Marcelo Weigandt; attacking trio of Messi, Suárez, and Tadeo Allende.
Electrifying start sets the tone
The match kicked off at 6 p.m. local time, with Nashville SC taking early initiative. At the 1st minute, the whistle blew before about 30,000 fans at the stadium. The home side, sixth with 54 points, pressed early, earning corners.
At the 5th minute, Luis Suárez was fouled in the box, creating tension, but no penalty was awarded. Inter Miami countered with quick transitions, leveraging Alba’s speed on the left. At the 6th minute, Nashville earned a corner, but the visitors’ defense cleared safely.
Early chances define the pace
Inter Miami balanced the game by the 9th minute, after a stoppage for Maximiliano Falcón’s injury. The Argentine defender received treatment and returned. The match gained intensity with midfield fouls.
At the 11th minute, play resumed with Nashville in possession. At the 13th minute, Sam Surridge’s header was saved by Drake Callender. The English striker, with 23 goals this season, tested the goal again at the 17th minute, but the defense blocked.
The first half saw back-and-forth action, with an offside call against Tadeo Allende at the 18th minute. At the 19th minute, a foul on Alex Muyl led to a dangerous Nashville free kick.
Cards and stoppages stir the field
At the 22nd minute, Tadeo Allende received a yellow card for a harsh foul on Jack Maher. The referee halted play, and Maher required medical attention. The stoppage lasted about a minute, disrupting the game’s flow.
At the 24th minute, another pause occurred for Maher’s injury, but he stayed on. Nashville earned corners at the 20th minute, posing no real threat to Inter Miami’s goal. At the 25th minute, play resumed with the hosts in possession.
Fouls piled up: at the 28th minute, Baltasar Rodríguez fouled Hany Mukhtar. At the 31st minute, Surridge’s shot was saved by Callender. At the 32nd minute, a flurry of fouls between Gonzalo Luján and Edvard Tagseth paused the midfield.
At the 33rd minute, Mukhtar missed a clear chance in the box, heightening excitement. The game, played in mild 18-degree Celsius weather, maintained a fast pace despite stoppages.
Messi’s goal shifts the momentum
Lionel Messi opened the scoring at the 34th minute with a left-footed strike from outside the box, assisted by Jordi Alba. The ball found the right corner, leaving goalkeeper Joe Willis no chance. A brief stoppage preceded the goal, halting play momentarily.
The 38-year-old Argentine celebrated quietly as the away fans cheered. The goal strengthens his lead in the MLS scoring race with 26 goals in 2025. Inter Miami increased possession to 58% thereafter.
Nashville responded with a corner at the 37th minute. At the 38th minute, Surridge had two chances blocked by the defense. At the 39th minute, Messi’s shot from distance was intercepted.
Nashville’s equalizer restores balance
Sam Surridge leveled the score at the 43rd minute, heading in from close range after a precise cross. The 1-1 scoreline energized Geodis Park. The goal stemmed from a quick free kick, exploiting a gap in Inter Miami’s marking.
At the 42nd minute, before the goal, Baltasar Rodríguez missed a clear chance with his right foot. At the 40th minute, an offside call on Tadeo Allende nullified an Inter Miami chance. The draw reflects Nashville’s form, unbeaten at home in their last five matches.
The fourth official announced six minutes of stoppage time at the 45th minute, extending the first half. At the 47th minute, Messi hit the post with a right-footed shot on a swift counterattack. The ball struck the woodwork, drawing gasps from the crowd.
The match remains open, with Inter Miami pressing in stoppage time. Nashville, led by an inspired Surridge, seeks a lead before the break.
Minute-by-minute key moments
Stay updated on all the action with live minute-by-minute coverage from the Mix Vale news portal! Follow real-time updates on key plays, goals, and decisive moments from top matches. To never miss an update, subscribe to Mix Vale’s free notifications and get news instantly on your device. Don’t miss a single detail of your favorite team! Check out the highlights up to the 48th minute below:
Gol 887 de Lionel Messi. pic.twitter.com/XNswMM9WHl
— Jorge Gómez (@pelotazo) October 18, 2025
- 1′: Kickoff at Geodis Park, with Nashville SC starting with possession.
- 5′: Foul on Luis Suárez in Nashville’s box sparks tension, but no penalty called.
- 13′: Sam Surridge’s header saved by Callender; early pressure from the hosts.
- 22′: Yellow card for Tadeo Allende for fouling Jack Maher; medical stoppage.
- 34′: Lionel Messi scores! Left-footed shot from outside the box puts Inter Miami ahead (0-1).
- 43′: Nashville equalizes! Sam Surridge heads in from close range (1-1).
- 47′: Messi hits the post on a rapid counterattack; six minutes of stoppage time announced.
Tactical setups in focus
Nashville SC lines up in a 3-5-2, prioritizing defensive solidity with Zimmerman and Maher at the back. Mukhtar orchestrates the midfield, feeding Surridge up top. The team has 16 wins this season, focusing on quick midfield transitions.
Inter Miami employs a 4-3-3, exploiting the flanks with Alba and Weigandt. Busquets anchors the midfield, while Messi roams the right. Suárez, with 19 goals, completes the attack. The team has 18 victories, eyeing direct playoff qualification.
Injuries impacted play: Falcón and Maher had stoppages but returned. The game saw four fouls per side in the first half.
Partial stats show 52% possession for Inter Miami, with five shots each. Shots on target: three for Nashville, two for the visitors.
Battle for playoff spots intensifies
With the partial draw, Inter Miami keeps hopes of climbing to second in the East, pending a Cincinnati stumble. Nashville, in sixth, could secure a home playoff game with a win. The MLS averages 2.8 goals per match in this final phase.
Messi chases the MVP award with 44 goal contributions. Surridge, a rival for the Golden Boot, has 23 goals. The match, streamed on Apple TV, draws global viewership.
The first half nears its end, but the game remains open. Both teams adjust strategies in the locker room for the second half.
