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Inter Miami vs. Nashville SC score: Lionel Messi scores twice as Herons win again
Messi also added an assist from a corner kick
By
Chuck Booth
•
1 min read
After allowing an early goal to Nashville SC, Inter Miami climbed back for a 3-1 victory to secure back-to-back victories on Saturday. Nashville forced Franco Negri into an own goal only two minutes into the match as he made his first start for the club since June of 2023 due to an Achilles tear, but it wouldn't take long for the Herons to bounce back as Lionel Messi leveled the score 11 minutes in before keeper Elliot Panicco gifted the Herons a corner. Messi's lofted ball from that corner found the head of Sergio Busquets, putting Miami ahead going into the half.
It's another match that showed that no matter how well a team does if they can't contain Messi and Luis Suarez, they have no real hope in defeating Inter Miami. Messi would add a second goal to his tally from the penalty spot as Leo Alfonso was taken down in the box late on but it won't be all smiles for Tata Martino's men. Diego Gomez left the match in the first half due to injury after picking up a knock, depleting an already thin midfield.
For Nashville, while they had good chances in the first half, Miami's defense dropped deep and was able to close out the match by negating Nashville's attack. It's a performance that shows growth for Martino's team and could go a long way in trying to stay atop the Eastern Conference.
With multiple goal contributions, Messi has seven goals and continues to create for others as everything runs through him. He's shown so many times that when he's healthy he's unstoppable, but the defensive improvement is what is impressive for the Herons. After allowing 1.55 xG in the first half they held Nashville to 0.70 in the second half. While that's not a clean defensive performance by any means, with an attack like Miami's, any improvement will go a long way.
Negri's return will be key defensively but Benjamin Cremaschi also returned to the pitch for the first time this season after hernia surgery. Getting stronger as the season progresses bodes well for defending their Leagues Cup title when it kicks off on July 26th. Gary Smith can take positives from the match but defense has been a problem entering the season for the visitors. They gifted Miami too many easy chances but when Walker Zimmerman returns, the defense should also improve.
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Messi yet again
After Leo Alfonso is brought down in the box, Messi converts the penalty and likely puts this game out of sight for the Herons. Messi now has two goals and an assist in the match.
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What a save by Willis
After a good attack by Leo Alfonso, Willis was able to make a save and keep the shot just out of the patch of an oncoming Julian Gressel.
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Slower pace in the second half
After a first half that was on skates, the second half has been much more composed from both sides. Nashville are pushing for a goal but Miami's defense has taken up deeper positions in the second half which has helped.
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More changes
After picking up a head injury, Lukas MacNaughton has now also been withdrawn from the match and will be replaced by Jack Maher. Already without Walker Zimmerman, Nashville's defensive corps are getting thinner by the second.
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A change at keeper
To start the second half, Joe Willis has entered for Elliot Panicco after the keeper's nervy play finishing out the first half.
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Cleaner play needed
While the attacking plays have been excellent so far, defensively each team has been their own worst enemies due to sloppy possessions making it too easy for the attacks on each end. If Nashville can tighten up defensively the game is there for the taking but no one can contain Messi.
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Diego Gomez stretchered off
He'll be replaced by Leo Afonso to close out the half after having a good match so far. It's unclear what the specific injury is at this time.
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It did cost him, actually
Sergio Busquets scores from a corner that Miami shouldn't have received. Messi is now the first player to have multiple goal contributions in five of his first six games of an MLS season.
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More mistakes
Panicco was casual on the ball and it almost cost him but Luis Suarez's shot was saved off the line by MacNaughton to keep the match level. Despite the half being a good one for Nashville, these mistakes to close it out could cost him.
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Almost another goal for the Herons
After Nashville gave away a corner for no reason, Messi's pass created a great chance that Panicco was well positioned to save.
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A yellow for David Ruiz
He's beginning to pick up quite a few cards this season so Nashville SC may begin to target him as the match goes on.
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What a clearance
Tomas Aviles had a goal saving clearance as Mukhtar was in on goal but decided to serve up a pass to Sam Surridge which was fired at net. This match is being played at 100 miles per hour and shows no sign of slowing down.
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Almost a brace
Messi hits the woodwork as the Herons are now growing into the match with good effect. Both teams can create chances when they want making for this to be quite a fun first half.
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Who else but Messi
His first effort was well saved but when it wasn't cleared, Messi was able to take Suarez's pass and bring the Herons level 10 minutes into the match. Miami were being overrun by Nashville but Messi continues to show that he can do more with less.
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How was that not a second?
Nashville hits the woodwork and Callender almost walks the ball into his own net as Miami's defense has struggled in the early going of the match. It's a confident start from Nashville as they're making the most of the Herons' set play woes.
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Good from Mukhtar
Less than a minute into the match, the German makes a dangerous run into the box that is turned into a corner kick. Nashville followed it up with an immediate goal from an excellent corner delivery as Negri marked his return to the XI with an own goal.
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Almost time for kickoff
Chase Stadium is ready for what should be an exciting match!
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Prediction
Behind Messi, the Herons will pick up more points at home although it will be by a narrow margin. Pick: Inter Miami 3, Nashville SC 2
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Nashville SC Storylines
With four draws on the season, Gary Smith just needs to see them begin to turn into victories as Nashville has performed well but not well enough. Despite being second from the bottom of the league, Nashville are only three points out of a playoff position so there isn't a reason to push the panic button yet. If they can't begin to score more goals soon, that time could come though.
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Inter Miami storylines
Injuries are still a major issue for Miami with Leonardo Campana, Federico Redondo, Robert Taylor and Sergii Kryvtsov all unavailable for the match. Again it will come down to if Messi and Suarez can push the team forward as Messi's seven goals and four assists in all competitions have been all that the Herons need in most situations.
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Nashville SC lineup
Gary Smith is rolling out quite a strong midfield in an attempt to slow down Miami's buildup play at home.
Starters: Panicco, Lovitz, MacNaughton, Bauer, Shaffleburg, Davis, Godoy, Yearwood, Muyl, Surridge, Mukhtar
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Inter Miami starters
The Herons are still without Robert Taylor but this is a strong side. Franco Negri also makes his first start since June of 2023 providing a massive boost out wide defensively.
Starters: Callender, Weigandt, Aviles, Freire, Negri, Gressel, Busquets, Ruiz, Messi, Suarez, Gomez
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How to watch and odds
- Date: Saturday, April 20 | Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Chase Stadium -- Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- TV: None | Live stream: MLS Season Pass
- Odds: Inter Miami -220; Draw +360; Nashville SC +500
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Hello and welcome
The quirks of the early season schedule will now see Miami and Nashville meet again after the Herons knocked Nashville out of Concacaf Champions Cup. After also being bounced from the competition themselves by Monterrey, Inter Miami are looking to string victories together against Nashville's stout defense. With Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez starting together, there's a great chance that they can emerge with a home victory.
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