Nashville consolidated their lead at the top of Major League Soccer following a dominant 4-1 victory over visiting Inter Miami. The clash marked a difficult night for Argentine star Lionel Messi, who missed a penalty, as the hosts expanded their lead at the top of the standings to five points over their nearest pursuers.
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According to The Athletic, both teams entered the match occupying first and second place in the Supporters' Shield race and Eastern Conference standings. Nashville subsequently raised their tally to 43 points compared to Inter Miami's 38, asserting their dominance in one of the marquee fixtures of the round.
The match featured Messi's return to Inter Miami’s starting XI in MLS for the first time since the World Cup, as well as since the passing of his father, Jorge, at age 68. The Argentine star had previously come off the bench in the second half against Club León without featuring in the starting lineup.
Nashville opened the match aggressively, breaking the deadlock through Andy Najar in the 17th minute when he rose to convert a precise cross from Elias Saad into the back of the net.
Inter Miami were presented with an ideal opportunity to equalize just six minutes later after Luis Suárez was fouled inside the penalty box. Messi stepped up to take the spot-kick, but goalkeeper Bryan Dowd successfully saved his effort.
Sergio Reguilón followed up on the rebound to slot the ball home, but the goal was disallowed after he was ruled to have encroached into the penalty area prior to Messi taking the strike.
The miss continued Messi's recent struggles from the spot, marking his third consecutive penalty failure following two missed penalties with the Argentine national team during the 2026 World Cup.
Despite the penalty miss, Messi made his presence felt before halftime by assisting Inter Miami’s equalizer in stoppage time. Dropping deep into midfield to receive the ball in space, he played a pass to Telasco Segovia, who turned brilliantly and fired into the far corner to end the first half tied at 1-1.
The momentum shifted rapidly early in the second half as Nashville restored their lead in the 49th minute through Hany Mukhtar, who received a pass from Elias Saad inside the box and finished clinically into the net.
The hosts required only a few additional minutes to extend their cushion when Cristian Espinoza delivered a ball toward the near post, which Sam Surridge flicked home with a brilliant heel finish for Nashville's third goal.
Messi protested the goal, alleging a foul in favor of Inter Miami at the start of the build-up. His continued arguments with the referee resulted in a yellow card.
Inter Miami's woes deepened following an error by goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo, who ventured far out of his box to clear a long ball. After misjudging the bounce, he left Hany Mukhtar with an open net to score his second goal of the match and Nashville's fourth.
Messi attempted to narrow the deficit in the closing minutes, coming exceptionally close to scoring as two of his efforts hit the post in stoppage time. Though he eventually found the net, the goal was ruled out for offside, concluding the match in a resounding 4-1 victory for Nashville.
The win snapped Inter Miami's seven-match unbeaten streak in the league, while Nashville preserved their undefeated home record this season, bolstering their position atop the overall MLS standings with 43 points—five points clear of second-place Inter Miami.
The Athletic
