Nashville Top Messi's Miami 2-1 To Level MLS Cup Playoff Series

Last Updated:November 02, 2025, 07:59 IST

Nashville SC beat Inter Miami 2-1 despite Lionel Messi's late goal. Philadelphia Union advanced, Charlotte FC forced a game three against New York City FC in MLS Cup playoffs.

Lionel Messi shoots during the 2025 MLS Cup Playoff match between Nashville SC and Inter Miami CF

An 89th-minute goal from Lionel Messi proved too little, too late as Nashville SC defeated Inter Miami 2-1 on Saturday, keeping their MLS Cup round one playoff hopes alive.

First-half goals by Sam Surridge and Josh Bauer gave Nashville control at a rainy Geodis Park in Tennessee, and despite the efforts of Argentine superstar Messi, Miami couldn’t muster a response.

Surridge opened the scoring in the ninth minute with a penalty, slotting a low shot to the right of diving Miami goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo. The penalty was awarded after Rios Novo hesitated in coming off his line against a charging Surridge.

Bauer doubled Nashville’s lead just before halftime, sliding in a left-footed shot from a corner delivered by Hany Mukhtar.

Miami began the second half with determination, but Luis Suarez’s close-range effort in the 66th minute was parried by Nashville keeper Joe Willis. Miami continued to press, but Ian Fray’s quick attempt from inside the area was blocked.

In the closing minutes, Messi increased his efforts. His awkwardly angled shot from the right in the 85th minute was blocked, and a powerful strike from the center of the box in the 86th was saved before he finally found the net in the 89th minute. Rodrigo De Paul set up Messi, who wrong-footed his defender and fired a left-footed shot into the top right corner to reduce the deficit to one.

Despite having a 3-1 advantage from game one, Miami now faces a decisive game three at home. This situation is a reminder of last year when Miami, after posting the best regular-season record and winning their opening playoff game, was eliminated by Atlanta United.

The series winner will face either Columbus or Cincinnati. Cincinnati leads their series 1-0 ahead of their game two on Sunday.

Philadelphia Union, the Eastern Conference top seeds and Supporters’ Shield winners, advanced to the second round with a 3-0 victory over Chicago Fire. Tai Baribo scored twice, in the eighth and 16th minutes, and Bruno Damiani added a third in the 35th. Philadelphia goalkeeper Andre Blake saved a penalty from Brian Gutierrez in the 32nd minute and was rarely tested otherwise.

Philadelphia, who defeated Chicago in a penalty shoot-out after a 2-2 draw in game one, will next face either Charlotte FC or New York City FC. Charlotte forced a game three against NYCFC with a penalty shoot-out victory at Yankee Stadium. Charlotte goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina saved Agustin Ojeda’s attempt, diving left to punch the ball away, and Charlotte triumphed 7-6 in the shoot-out after a goalless draw. Nathan Byrne was credited with the game-winner in the shoot-out, blasting the ball up the middle past NYCFC keeper Matt Freese. Charlotte, who lost the opening game 1-0, will host game three on Friday.

(With AFP Inputs)

Aakash Biswas

A cricket enthusiast whose dreams of playing for India paved the way for a compelling journey in journalism. With a comprehensive coverage spanning international and domestic cricket across formats, I have had ...Read More

A cricket enthusiast whose dreams of playing for India paved the way for a compelling journey in journalism. With a comprehensive coverage spanning international and domestic cricket across formats, I have had ...

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