Inter Miami - Nashville summary: goals, stats and highlights | CONCACAF Champions Cup
Inter Miami - Nashville: As it happened
Inter Miami eased past Nashville with an assured performance in the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 tie.
The aggregate score was level at 2-2 after the first leg but Inter Miami edged ahead just minutes into the return fixture on Wednesday evening. Lionel Messi showed great composure to slide a ball through to Luis Suarez and the Uruguayan made no mistake from close range.
Just minutes later Messi had a goal of his own, finishing coolly after some good work from Diego Gomez. Miami had a two-goal lead at the break but soon lost their captain after Messi was substituted just five minutes into the second half.
Nashville looked more positive in the second half but it was Inter Miami who found the game's third goal, Robert Taylor nodding home a pin-point Suarez cross. The visitors eventually found the back of the net when Sam Surridge scored a late consolation from close range.
Inter Miami bounce back from last weekend's defeat to Montreal and keep their dreams of a CONCACAF Champions Cup triumph alive.
Why was Lionel Messi substituted?
The only point of concern for the Herons after a good all-round performance was the substitution of Lionel Messi early in the second half. The Argentine contributed a goal and an assist in the first half but managed just five minutes after the break.
We've had no official explanation but it seems that the 36-year-old asked to be taken off. Messi struggled with muscular issues towards the end of 2023 and Miami will be desperate to avoid over-working him so early into the new campaign. He was able to walk from the field of play and was not seen receiving any treatment on the touchline.
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Inter Miami become the fifth team to book their place in the quarter-finals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup after an impressive victory over Nashville SC. Tata Martino has already indicated that the pan-continental competition will be a top priority for his team in 2024, but their chances of lifting the trophy depend on their route to the final.
There are just two teams that the Herons could face in their quarter-final; two sides who go head-to-head on Thursday...
Inter Miami through after 3-1 victory
It wasn't always pretty but the Herons had enough to see themselves through against a well-drilled Nashville side. The switch to a 5-3-2 seemed to help Miami this evening and the wingbacks were able to find a nice balance between their defensive responsibilities and their offensive aspirations.
Lionel Messi played just 50 minutes before being substituted by Tata Martino but still managed to contribute a goal and an assist to get the ball rolling.
Peeep peeeeep peeeeeeeep
Full time at Chase Stadium and Inter Miami have their first-ever CONCACAF Champions Cup victory. Tata Martino's men progress thanks to goals from Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Robert Taylor.
Brilliant run from Sam Surridge to skip past two challenges on the left flank and make space for a shot, but his effort is well off-target.
Goal kick to Inter Miami, there can't be long left now.
We're now up to the indicated four minutes of added time. There can't be much more than 60 seconds remaining at Chase Stadium.
Nashville come forward again, looking to nick another.
Gooooaaaal! Sam Surridge
And the visitors are on the board!
Good work from Shaq Moore out on the right to beat his man and slide the ball across the face of goal. Surridge was on hand to tap it home.
Nevertheless, Nashville are still pushing for a goal. Surridge tries a clever dummy on the edge of the Miami box but Redondo reads it well and is there to intercept.
There will be four minutes of added time, which doesn't seem like very much when you consider the goal, lengthy VAR check and many, many substitutions.
Good athleticism from Tomas Aviles to stop a promising Nashville counter-attack on the left.
David Ruiz gives a free kick for a clumsy challenge on Shaq Moore near the touchline.
Nashville are starting to get a little desperate now. Hany Mukhtar tries his luck from the edge of the box but it's not troubling Drake Callender.
Leo Campana does brilliantly to win the ball high and surge into the Nashville box. He slips past MacNaughton and tries to make space for the shot, but he's muscled out at the last moment.
Two more changes for Inter Miami. Diego Gomez and Luis Suarez are replaced by David Ruiz and Leonardo Campana.
Another big chance for Nashville as Gainez makes progress down the right and whips in a dangerous low cross. Shaq Moore meets the ball but balloons his shot over the crossbar.
Luis Suarez tries his luck from range but his effort is just wide of Joe Willis' post, although the Nashville goalkeeper didn't seem to confident in his positioning.
VAR say Hany Mukhtar was in an offside position - No goal!
Inter Miami retain their three-goal lead.
Or do they?
The goal is subject to a VAR check - Hany Mukhtar may have strayed offside in the box. It's a close one...
Goooaaaal! Hany Mukhtar
And they have their goal!
The pressure has told for Nashville. A poor clearance from Miami allowed Lovitz the chance to fire it back into the box and Mukhtar was on hand to poke the ball home.
Nashville are continuing to push for a goal at Chase Stadium, intricate play through the midfield with Hany Mukhtar drifting around.
Inter Miami don't look entirely settled but they're staying strong so far.
And Tata Martino makes a substitution. Noah Allen comes on for Sergii Kryvtsov.
Another change for the visitors, Jakob Shaffelburg is replaced by Mckinze Gaines.
There's a rare heavy touch from Luis Suarez to lose possession as his team had the opportunity to counter-attack. Ten years ago he would probably have made the recovery, but at 37 he isn't quite so dynamic.
For the first time in 2024, Inter Miami have looked fairly comfortable in their 5-3-2 formation. The central defensive trio of Freire, Aviles and Kryvtsov have looked solid and played with confidence on the ball.
Clever pass from Gressel to release Redondo on the right. He drives forward for 40 yards before eventually crumbling under a challenge.
He wants a free kick but the referee says no.
Sergio Busquets is penalised for a clumsy challenge on Hany Mukhtar.
More good work from Inter Miami as Diego Gomez bursts down the left and curls a low cross into the middle. Luis Suarez is there to meet it but his effort is tipped over by Joe Willis.
Another double change for Nashville as Godoy and Sean Davis are replaced by Brian Anunga and Dru Yearwood.
Gooaaaaal! Robert Taylor
The Herons have their third and it's the substitute!
Luis Suarez curls in a inch-perfect cross from the right and Robert Taylor plants a header past Willis.
Brilliant turn from Gomez on the halfway line to beat his man and play the ball out to Taylor on the left. Well-defended by Nashville.
Offensive mix-up between Taylor and Suarez and the Finn chips the ball straight to Joe Willis in the visitors' goal.
Robert Taylor looks to be playing slightly behind Suarez, helping his teammates with their duties in midfield. He doesn't have the magic that Messi offers, but Taylor brings real industry in addition to his on-ball talents.
Nashville pinch the ball and come right back at Miami with Mukhtar on the right. He curls in a dangerous ball towards Surridge but the big striker can't direct his effort on target.
Inter Miami win a throw-in on the left and Jordi Alba mimes 'slow down' to the ball boy bringing him the ball.
The Herons are looking to slow the game down now.
Sergio Busquets manages to get his foot on the ball and brings a bit of calm to Inter Miami's play. The Herons work the ball around the midfield, easing their way back into the game.
More good work from Nashville as Boyd works some space on the right. Inter Miami are looking a little unsettled now.
Corner kick is curled in towards Surridge, who nods the ball down to MacNaughton who forces a brilliant close-range save from Callender.
Inter Miami clear the danger.
Surridge drops deep to pick up the ball and play it through to Shaffelburg. His deep cross finds Moore at the back post but his shot is blocked by Jordi Alba.
Corner kick to the visitors.
Inter Miami clear the throw-in well and come forward through Jordi Alba. Their progression is slowed by a late challenge on Suarez and Miami are contend to just keep possession.
Nashville win a throw-in on the left flank, close to the corner flag. MacNaughton comes up from the back for the long throw...
Well, we were not expecting that.
Lionel Messi is withdrawn for Inter Miami, Robert Taylor comes on to replace him.
There was no obvious injury, perhaps a precaution from Tata Martino?
Mukhtar does well on the left to beat his man and clip a cross towards Surridge. The big striker wins the first header but can't direct it to a teammate.
Kryvtsov clears.
Good feet from Tyler Boyd to bring his team up the field. He slides the ball out to Moore on the right who tries a cross into the middle, easily cleared by Miami.
Nashville have Surridge, their best attacking option, back from injury but it'll be interesting to see how fit he is on his return to the team.
And we're back!
Inter Miami get the second half underway.
Double change at the break for Nashville. Sam Surridge and Josh Bauer enter the fray.
Inter Miami ahead thanks to Suarez and Messi goals
Who else? Inter Miami came into tonight searching for their first-ever CONCACAF Champions Cup victory and they have been put on their way by their superstar strike-force.
Messi set up Suarez for the first, before finishing emphatically for the second goal. When they're on form, they are just so difficult to live with.
Peeep peeeep peeeeeeep
Halftime in Southern Florida after a thrilling 45 minutes of CONCACAF action. Inter Miami will be delighted with how the first half went, but Nashville are very much still in this tie.
Davis has space for a shot on the edge of the box and gets his effort on-target, but it deflects off his own player!
It looks like Shaffelburg was in an offside position and the flag is up.
Moore brings his side forward again and heaves another cross into the box.
Inter Miami repel it, but Nashville come forward again.
There will be one minute of added time.
MacNaughton hurls a long throw into the box and it's nearly deflected into the path of Mukhtar.
Inter Miami clear the ball as far as Lovitz who unleashes a volley from the edge of the box. His effort pings off the crossbar and away from danger.
So close for Nashville!
Shaq Moore tries to work his way down the right for Nashville but Krvytsov gets across well to clear the danger for Inter Miami.
Gressel's corner kick is poor and Nashville look to launch a counter-attack.
Aviles does well to get the ball out for a throw-in and stem the Nashville offensive.
More good play from Diego Gomez, who has been full of energy so far.
He charges onto a ball in midfield and drives at goal, reaching the edge of the box before forcing a good save from Joe Willis.
Corner kick to Inter Miami.
MacNaughton takes down Suarez on the halfway line and Inter Miami have a free kick.
Five minutes to go until the break, Tata Martino will be very happy with the opening 45 minutes.
The hosts look to break with Messi in space in the middle. The Miami captain fires a pass out to Gressel on the right who curls a teasing low cross across the face of goal.
There's no one there to meet the ball. Nashville survive.
It's an Inter Miami head that meets the ball and they get it clear of the danger zone.
Jordi Alba fouls Alex Muyl out on the touchline. Free kick to Nashville, a chance for Mukhtar to deliver from the right...
Nashville manage to break and play a long ball through to Shaffelburg. The wideman gets to it first but, rather ambitiously, tries to pick up Mukhtar on the edge of the box.
His pass misses its target and Inter Miami regain possession.
Inter Miami are back on the offensive now and trying to make space for Jordi Alba on the left.
Clever ball from Washington to release Shaffelburg down the left. He curls in a cross and it's headed cleared by Kryvtsov in the heart of the Miami defence.
Shaffelburg finally gets the ball and does well to work some space against Aviles. He attempts a cross but it's overhit and goes out for a throw-in on the far side.
Nashville have the chance to build something but Godoy tries a wild cross-field ball out to Shaffelburg. The pass misses the target and Miami win a throw-in near their own corner flag.
Sharp counter-attack from Miami finds Messi on the left. He looks up and clips a back post cross towards Federico Redondo, who takes the ball down well but can't find a teammate in the box.
Nashville recover the ball and work it forward with Godoy.
The corner from Muyl is a good one but it's well-cleared by Miami, who look to break.
Nashville move down the right with Alex Muyl and he winger wins a corner kick for his team.
First of the game, let's see what they can muster...
Inter Miami now lead 4-2 on aggregate and have real momentum now!
Messi does well again to skip past a challenge and fire a pass out to Jordi Alba on the left. The Spaniard makes progress down the flank and tries a return pass to Messi but it's cut out by a Nashville defender.
More good work from the Herons.
Gooooaaaaal! Lionel Messi
It's the Messi and Suarez show again!
Good work from Diego Gomez to pick up the ball on the edge and charge into the box. He slipped the ball to Messi on the penalty spot and the Argentine lashed home past Joe Willis.
Inter Miami are ahead and cruising!
Nashville win a free kick, 35 yards from goal, which is played short before being clipped into the penalty box.
The first ball is rebuffed by the Miami defence but it falls to Mukhtar who tries an acrobatic effort form the edge of the box. His attempt flies over the crossbar, goal kick to Miami
Watch: Luis Suarez puts Inter Miami ahead
Nashville took an early lead in the first leg and Inter Miami have done the same this evening. Just seven minutes into the game Lionel Messi slipped the ball through to Luis Suarez and the Uruguayan made no mistake.
Messi and Suarez combine in the Nashville half and the ball is worked out to Gressel on the right. Miami recycle the play and look to play patiently, working the ball from side to side.
Nashville have improved in the past few minutes, managing to build a little possession in the central areas. Hany Mukhtar has had a few touches but the Herons' midfield is doing well to marshal him when he drops deep.
Good work from Tomas Aviles near his own corner flag to dispossess Shaffelburg.
Luis Suarez is incensed at the decision to award a free kick against him for a handball in the midfield. It's a nothing decision and what that will have no impact on the game, but Suarez is right up in the referee's face in protest.
He's clearly up for this one.
There's a coming together between Busquets and Boyd in the middle of the pitch. Busquets stays down for a few moments and looks to be in some pain, but he gets to his feet and looks able to shake it off.
Nashville go long but the target is Mukhtar and he's easily beaten in the air. The visitors have not got a grip of this game yet.
Julian Gressel plays a brilliant cross-field ball to Jordi Alba on the left flank. The Spaniard tries to feed the ball in towards Suarez but the pass is cut out.
That early Suarez goal has ramped up the party atmosphere even further. Drums, bells, horns and a lot of very loud voices, this has got off to the perfect start for the home side.
Gooooaaaal! Luis Suarez
Inter Miami lead. Lionel Messi pass; Luis Suarez slots the ball home.
The superstars show their class!
Poor pass from Lukas MacNaughton pushes the ball into Messi's path. The Argentine closes in on goal but, faced with two defenders, punts his shot over the bar.
Nicolas Freire does well to shield the ball from Mukhtar and play the ball back to Aviles. The Inter Miami back three needs to be on their game today.
Lionel Messi is dropping very deep from the start here, allowing Diego Gomez to bomb on and join Suarez in attack.
The free kick is around 20 yards from goal, slightly right of center. Perfect for Messi's left foot...
His effort hits the wall and Nashville clear the danger.
First piece of magic from Messi as he skips free of a challenge on the halfway line. He charges forward towards the Nashville goal and makes it to the edge of the box before being clipped by Godoy.
Free kick to Miami. Messi range. Look out...
Confident start from Inter Miami in front of a raucous home crowd. TherHerons are playing in the 5-3-2 favoured by Tata Martino last year, Messi and Suarez starting up front.
And we're off!
We are underway in South Florida...
ICYMI: All square after first leg
Kick-off is just minutes away in South Florida. For anyone not up to date on the Inter Miami - Nashville action, here's what happened last week...
The teams are out at Chase Stadium and there's an atmosphere of real anticipation ahead of tonight's CONCACAF Champions League clash.
Inter Miami will be the favourites to progress but Nashville are an organised, dangerous team with real offensive talent in the roster.
Kick-off approaches at Chase Stadium
Away from Inter Miami's quarter of superstars, there are a handful of young players who could prove crucial this evening. In midfield youngster Diego Gomez and new signing Federico Redondo start alongside Sergio Busquets and will need to be at their best against a well-drilled Nashville side.
Redondo made his MLS debut for the club last weekend and, although confident on the ball, struggled a little when Miami were out of possession. At times he found himself ahead of the ball and was forced into a cynical early challenge to break up a promising Montreal attack. He and Gomez will be tasked with providing the energy and the dynamism around Busquets this evening; the young midfielders are central to the Herons' gameplan.
Nashville looking for payback in Miami
Last summer Nashville came tantalisingly close to the first piece of major silverware in club history. They had upset the odds by clawing their way back against Inter Miami in the final of the 2023 Leagues Cup, a competition that looked destined to be defined by the recently-arrived Lionel Messi.
Nashville forced the game into extra-time and then to penalties but were beaten by the Herons in the shootout. If Nashville win tonight they would eliminate Inter Miami from the CONCACAF Champions Cup at the earliest stage possible and put a major dent in their ambitions for the season.
It's a big task, but this Nashville side will certainly be motivated.
With Lionel Messi reinstated in the starting XI, there will be a familiar presence stalking the touchline once again. Messi's bodyguard Yassine Cheuko has caught the attention of fans online with his commitment to protecting the diminutive Argentine.
However this week Cheuko has also made headline for his on-field skills after he was spotted kicking a ball at Inter Miami's practice center. Check out the footage...
Inter Miami look to build on strong second half showing
There was a point last Thursday, when Jacob Shaffelburg had doubled his side's lead shortly after the break, when it looked like Inter Miami may be destined for a chastening CONCACAF Champions Cup exit. They were thoroughly outplayed in the first 50 minutes in Nashville but two brilliant goals from Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez dragged their team back into the tie and kept their dreams alive.
After last week's draw the tie is perfectly poised. If Inter Miami are to progress, they will need to pick up their first win in the competition tonight...
In many ways the CONCACAF Champions Cup might be Inter Miami best chance of picking up some silverware in 2024. The knock-out format might suit their aging stars more than a gruelling MLS season, and the tournament will be completed before the likes of Messi and Suarez head off to Copa America.
However this tournament brings together the strongest teams in CONCACAF and the Herons will have to see off some of the best sides in MLS and Liga MX if they are to lift the trophy.
And here's how Nashville line up
Nashville head coach Gary Smith said that he was hoping to get some key players back for tonight's trip to Inter Miami but his medical staff have had mixed success on that from. Team talisman Hany Mukhtar starts for Nashville, but striker Sam Surridge is only fit enough for a place on the bench on his return to first team action.
Most disappointingly for Nashville fans, Walker Zimmerman misses out entirely. Will the USMNT defender be a big miss for the visitors as they look to get a result from Chase Stadium?
Inter Miami return to 5-3-2
It did not serve them particularly well during preseason, but Inter Miami seem to have returned to the 5-3-2 formation favoured by Tata Martino in 2023. Robert Taylor and Leonardo Campana drop out of the starting XI for tonight's game, with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez coming in to replace them.
With no other obvious candidate to play as a forward it looks like Messi and Suarez will be playing as an offensive duo, with Julian Gressel and Jordi Alba playing as wing-backs in the Miami system. There's another chance for recent signing Federico Redondo to get to know his new teammates; he starts alongside Sergio Busquets and Diego Gomez in midfield.
Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez return to starting XI
Last weekend, with Lionel Messi not included in the matchday squad, Luis Suarez cut a rather lonely figure as he trooped into Chase Stadium on his own. Things are a little different tonight with the legendary duo returned to the starting XI.
Messi and Suarez are back together.
We'll have full live coverage of Inter Miami - Nashville SC right here but you can, of course, choose to watch or stream the game online. Here's everything you need to know...
The stage is set for Inter Miami - Nashville
Last summer these two teams played out a thrilling Leagues Cup final. Last week we saw four brilliant goals in an end-to-end CONCACAF Champions Cup first leg.
We're back at Chase Stadium for the second leg tonight, what does this evening have in store?
And here's the answer!
Lionel Messi starts for Inter Miami, joining his old pal Luis Suarez in the forward line. It's a full-strength team for Tata Martino tonight, a sign that Miami are really targeting this competition.
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Ahead of the game the big question (for those of an Inter Miami persuasion) revolved around the fitness of Herons captain Lionel Messi. The Argentine was rested for last weekend's MLS loss against CF Montreal but he had suffered a nasty knock on the shin during the first leg against Nashville.
Will Messi be fit to start against Nashville? Here's was Tata Martino had to say...
Inter Miami have their sights set on picking up more silverware this season, but their CONCACAF Champions Cup dreams could be ended this evening against Nashville SC.
The Herons were outplayed for much of the first leg in Nashville but second half goals from Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez levelled the tie. The scores are tied at 2-2 ahead of the second leg in Miami, the winner tonight will advance to the quarter-finals of the CONCACAF competition.
Here's your full live coverage of Inter Miami vs Nashville...