Inter Miami drew 1-1 with Nashville SC and were eliminated from the Concacaf Champions Cup, following a 0-0 draw in the first leg. Lionel Messi had given the Herons the lead with his 900th career goal.
Things got off to a perfect start for Inter Miami, as they took the lead just three minutes in through Messi. The Argentine forward received a precise assist from Sergio Reguilon on the left, controlled the ball inside the box, and unleashed a left-footed shot that beat the goalkeeper.
With that goal, Messi reached 900 in his professional career, counting his years with Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Miami, and the Argentina national team. Only Cristiano Ronaldo had previously reached that total, but Messi achieved it in less time.
However, things didn’t go entirely smoothly for the Herons. In the second half, Nashville pushed forward and found the goal they needed: in the 74th minute, Cristian Espinoza pounced on a rebound inside the box to score the 1-1 equalizer, sending the visitors through to the quarterfinals.
For Inter Miami, it’s a major disappointment. The Concacaf Champions Cup was their primary goal this season, and they were knocked out early. Now, all their efforts will need to focus on the MLS and the Leagues Cup, titles they have already won in previous seasons.
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Inter Miami and Nashville SC drew 1-1 in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. We’ll be back with more coverage soon!
Full-time!
Inter Miami are eliminated from the CONCACAF Champions Cup after drawing 1-1 with Nashville SC.
90’ – Four minutes of added time (1-1)
There will be 4 minutes of stoppage time.
84’ – Final substitutions for Nashville (1-1)
Hany Mukhtar and Andy Najar were replaced by Josh Bauer and Bryan Acosta.
Espinoza’s goal
With this strike, Nashville SC secured the equalizer.
77’ – Substitutions for Inter Miami (1-1)
David Ayala and Luis Suarez came on for Facundo Mura and Yannick Bright.
73’ – GOOOOAAL FOR NASHVILLE!! (1-1)
Cristian Espinoza scored the equalizer after several rebounds inside the box.
71’ – Third substitution for Nashville (1-0)
Edvard Tagseth came on for Matthew Corcoran.
66’ – Chance for Nashville! (1-0)
Hany Mukhtar was one-on-one with goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair, but his shot was deflected.
61’ – Another change for Inter Miami (1-0)
Mateo Silvetti came on for Telasco Segovia.
58’ – Substitutions for Nashville (1-0)
Reed Baker-Whiting and Alex Muyl came on for Daniel Lovitz and Warren Madrigal.
56’ – Chance for Berterame (1-0)
The forward went for a header off a Messi cross, but the goalkeeper collected it comfortably.
49’ – Allende had a chance! (1-0)
The forward got an opportunity inside the box, but Palacios blocked his shot.
The second half has kicked off!
Inter Miami lead Nashville SC 1-0.
The first half is over!
Inter Miami lead Nashville SC 1-0 thanks to a goal from Lionel Messi.
40’ – First substitution for Inter Miami (1-0)
Sergio Reguilon went off injured, with Noah Allen coming on in his place.
38’ – First booking (1-0)
Gonzalo Lujan received a yellow card for Inter Miami.
36’ – Clear chance for Inter Miami! (1-0)
Messi set up Allende, who shot but couldn’t beat the goalkeeper.
34’ – Little involvement from Messi (1-0)
Apart from the goal, the Argentine forward hasn’t had many touches in the match.
29’ – Nashville are looking for the equalizer (1-0)
Facing a deficit, the visitors are now controlling possession, while Inter Miami are retreating into their own half.
Messi’s 900th goal
Messi scored his 900th goal as a professional, a milestone previously reached only by Cristiano Ronaldo. However, the Argentine forward got there in less time.
Messi reached the mark at 38 years and 8 months old, after 1,142 matches. That equals an average of 0.78 goals per game. By comparison, Ronaldo did it at 39 years and 7 months old, after 1,238 matches, which represents an average of 0.73 goals per game.
14’ – Messi saves Inter Miami! (1-0)
The Argentine forward blocked Espinoza’s shot inside the box.
Lionel Messi's goal
With this strike, Messi scored the opener against Nashville.
3’ – GOOOOAL FOR INTER MIAMI! (1-0)
Lionel Messi received the ball from Reguilón and scored with a powerful left-footed strike.
3’ – First chance for Inter Miami! (0-0)
Tadeo Allende set up German Berterame, whose shot was saved by the goalkeeper.
The match has kicked off!
Inter Miami and Nashville SC are already underway in the Concacaf Champions Cup.
Inter Miami’s upcoming matches
After Wednesday’s clash with Nashville SC, Inter Miami will return to MLS action, facing New York City FC next Sunday at Yankee Stadium. Following the international break, the Herons will host Austin FC at Miami Freedom Park.
Who could be Inter Miami or Nashville’s next opponent?
Whichever team advances to the quarterfinals of the Concacaf Champions Cup between Inter Miami and Nashville SC will face Club America or Philadelphia Union in that round. After the Mexican side’s 1-0 away win in the first leg, they will play the decisive match this Wednesday.
Messi chasing his 900th goal
In addition to focusing on securing a win to advance with Inter Miami, Lionel Messi has the chance tonight to reach a historic milestone and become only the second player in history to score 900 official goals. The Argentine forward currently has 899 and is just one goal away from the mark, a feat so far achieved only by Cristiano Ronaldo.
Nashville hold an important advantage tonight
Concacaf Champions Cup rules state that in the knockout stages, when a series is tied after the second leg, away goals carry more weight.
Given that the first leg at Geodis Park ended 0-0, Nashville SC have the advantage of knowing that Inter Miami failed to score on the road. That means if the visitors manage to score tonight, the Herons cannot settle for a draw and will be forced to win in order to advance to the quarterfinals.
Nashville SC lineup confirmed!
This is the XI selected by coach BJ Callaghan: Brian Schwake; Daniel Lovitz, Maxwell Woledzi, Jeisson Palacios, Andy Najar; Matthew Corcoran, Patrick Yazbek; Warren Madrigal, Hany Mukhtar, Cristian Espinoza; Sam Surridge.
Inter Miami lineup confirmed!
Coach Javier Mascherano has chosen this XI: Dayne St. Clair; Facundo Mura, Gonzalo Lujan, Micael, Sergio Reguilón; Tadeo Allende, Yannick Bright, Rodrigo De Paul, Telasco Segovia; Lionel Messi, German Berterame.
Final match at Chase Stadium
Tonight’s match is significant not only for a spot in the next round of the Concacaf Champions Cup, but also because it will go down in history as Inter Miami’s last game at Chase Stadium.
The Herons are scheduled to open Nu Stadium at Miami Freedom Park in their next home match this season, on Saturday, April 4, during Matchday 6 of the MLS, against Austin FC.
Kickoff time and how to watch
The clash between Inter Miami and Nashville SC will kick off at 7:00 PM ET.
You can watch the Concacaf Champions Cup match on Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Sling, FS1, UniMás, TUDN, and ViX.
Inter Miami face Nashville SC
Welcome to our live blog covering the Inter Miami vs. Nashville SC match in the Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 second leg. Stay with us for all the key updates and minute-by-minute coverage of this clash!
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