Chase Stadium- The Goat, Lionel Messi, extended his historic streak of scoring a brace to five consecutive MLS matches, leading Inter Miami to a 2-1 victory over Nashville SC. Lionel Messi and Sam Surridge faced off Saturday night in a matchup that featured the top two goal scorers in MLS. Nashville came into Miami on a 15-game unbeaten streak with a scorching hot Surridge leading the league with 16 goals, followed by a massive Messi with fourteen goals in 15 matches played.
Lionel #Messi sigue rompiendo récords con su 5to partido consecutivo anotando 2 goles..En la historia del #MLS , nadie ha logrado esa hazaña excepto Lionel…#InterMiamiCF https://t.co/55kcYeHxJJ
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) July 13, 2025
The Goat, Lionel Messi, put Inter Miami CF up 1-0 in the 18th minute, with a sneaky low corner shot through the Nashville wall.
Lionel MESSI!!!! The GOAT 🐐 scores off a low free kick into the corner net to give #InterMiamiCF the 1-0 lead 18 minutes into the match …#MLS #InterMiamiCF
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) July 13, 2025
The Herons continued to surge with ball possession and solid team play, creating some chances to extend the lead. Nashville began to grow into the match and pressed forward, but could not find a way to get on the scoreboard in the first half.
Andy Najar served a crisp cross into the box for Hany Muhktar, who delivered a wonderful header past Oscar Ustari for the 1-1 scoreline in the 49th minute.
Hany Mukhtar with a wonderful header after a crisp cross into the box by Andy Najar to tie the match at 1-1 early in the 2nd half..#MLS #InterMiamiCF
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) July 13, 2025
The goal gave Nashville life, and the Tennessee team took possession of the game, creating dangerous chances on the Miami side of the pitch. Unfortunately, Joe Willis, the Nashville goalie, committed a grave blunder when Nashville was playing its best. The goalkeeper controlled a long ball with his chest in fabulous fashion, but when he attempted to make a pass, Messi intercepted the ball. Lionel cut in, leaving Willis behind, finishing with his mythical left foot for the 2-1 lead in the 62nd minute.
Lionel #Messi extends his record with a 5th consecutive brace in #MLS play after stealing an errant pass from the Nashville goalie & finishing for the 2-1 #InterMiamiCF lead in the 62nd minute…
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) July 13, 2025
The game ended 2-1, with Inter Miami snapping Nashville’s 15-game unbeaten streak.
Postgame
After the match, Maxi Falcon and Benja Cremaschi were made available in the mixed zone area for questions. I asked Falcon (in Spanish) about the difficulties of not having a consistent partner at center back,
I think my teammates have done a good job and have made it easy for me. I think the key is communication and for us to be aligned with what we are trying to do as defenders, which is to give security to those up top
https://Twitter.com/XGLAVOZ/status/1944538665583317117
Falcon has begun to consolidate himself as Miami’s sturdiest and most consistent defender. Still, Miami needs to find a center back that complements Maxi and find consistency in the back line.
I asked Cremaschi about his FIFA Club World Cup experience and what he learned in the tournament that he would transmit to MLS play,
Everything counts..Every single moment, every challenge..Everything is a good opportunity to come out on top
https://Twitter.com/XGLAVOZ/status/1944541903879287153
I also asked Benja about playing alongside Busquets and what that was like for him as a young player,
Obviously, playing alongside Busquets is easy, he’s the best in the world. So you kinda feed off what he does, what movements he does. We always try to learn from the best
https://Twitter.com/XGLAVOZ/status/1944537519174942817
Major respect from the young player for the legend.
Final Thoughts
Lionel Messi continues to amaze and dazzle on the futbol pitch. In the twilight of his career, the star shines as bright as ever. What we are witnessing is a rare occurrence, and we should enjoy it to the fullest.
Maxi Falcon has become the heart of the Heron defense. He is a lion, ferocious defensively, with a huge heart. The Herons need to find him a stable partner at center back to finally consolidate and solidify the backline. David Martinez did a solid job alongside Falcon on Saturday night versus Nashville.
Marcelo Weigandt has been putting out consistent high-level performances for Inter Miami. The right-back played a good match against Nashville, but appeared to come out with an injury to his left leg.
Benjamin Cremaschi looked comfortable alongside Busquets in the center of the pitch. The young baller covered a lot of ground defensively, running for Busquets, who has become a defensive liability.
Sergio Busquets is not the same player this season for Inter Miami. He is still skill-wise a top player, but his defensive shortcomings are becoming more evident game after game.
Inter Miami has returned to MLS play with a bang. The Heron’s 2-1 defeat of Nashville SC is yet another statement win for the club. Up next, Cincinnati. Cincinnati should be a great matchup for Inter Miami CF, and if Miami wins again, they would have to be the favorites to win MLS Cup.
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