Lionel Messi put on a show, scoring twice and creating two more as Inter Miami dismantled Nashville SC 4-0 to reach the MLS Cup semi-finals for the first time in the club’s history. The 38-year-old’s brilliance in both boxes turned a tense series into a procession and left the opposition searching for answers.
Messi struck twice before the break to seize control, his movement and finishing slicing through Nashville’s defence. The early double set the tone, draining the visitors’ momentum and electrifying the home crowd as Miami shifted from cautious to clinical.
After the interval, Messi switched from scorer to conductor, threading two assists to Tadeo Allende to seal a convincing rout. His vision and timing unlocked Nashville repeatedly, turning promising positions into ruthless finishes and leaving the scoreboard emphatic.
The result completed a 2-1 victory in the best-of-three series for Javier Mascherano’s side after a 3-2 win in game one and a 2-1 loss in game two.
Messi finished the tie with five goals and three assists, meaning he was involved in all eight of Miami’s goals across the three matches, a tally that underlined his centrality to the club’s playoff surge.
"I want to congratulate Leo for the game he played. He was the first one who guided us in high pressure. To see him press like that at 38 years old is crazy. We all know about Leo with the ball, but what happened with Leo without the ball today was impressive," Mascherano said.
Miami, who had suffered early playoff exits in two of the past three seasons, now face FC Cincinnati in a one-off semi-final on the weekend of 22–23 November. In other playoff action, Minnesota United edged Seattle Sounders 7-6 on penalties after a 3-3 thriller and will meet the winner of Portland Timbers vs San Diego FC.
Messi delivered a masterclass that was equal parts artistry and industry, dragging Inter Miami deeper into MLS Cup contention and reminding the league that, even at 38, he remains the game’s defining force.
