Lionel Messi fails to find the back of the net as Inter Miami settles for a scoreless draw against Nashville. This marks the first time Messi has been kept off the scoresheet since joining the team. Despite the disappointment of not scoring, Inter Miami was able to secure a valuable point in the standings as they strive to make a late-season playoff push.
Inter Miami entered the match 11 points away from the MLS playoff line, needing to climb from 14th to ninth place to secure a postseason berth. With their previous nine matches resulting in victories, Messi’s addition to the team has provided an immediate boost. He has already scored an impressive 10 goals, including three multi-goal performances.
Taking the field alongside former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets, Messi struggled to find his rhythm as Nashville’s defense proved to be formidable. Throughout the first 60 minutes of the match, Miami failed to register a single shot on goal, demonstrating their difficulty in breaking through.
In the 60th minute, Messi had an opportunity to convert a free kick after drawing a foul on Nashville’s Dax McCarty. However, his attempt to curl the ball into the bottom-left corner was expertly saved by goalkeeper Elliot Panicco. Although Messi’s shot did not find the back of the net, Inter Miami fans were captivated by the moment, hopeful that the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner would produce another memorable goal akin to his debut performance, where he scored in the 94th minute to secure a victory over Mexican Club Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup opener.
In the 69th minute, Nashville’s Hany Mukhtar saw his goal disallowed due to an offside call. This provided a brief respite for Inter Miami, but their defensive efforts cannot be overlooked, as they managed to deny Nashville from taking the lead.
Messi had another chance in the 83rd minute, but his shot was deflected by a wall of defenders. Despite his best efforts, the Argentine superstar was unable to break the deadlock.
These two teams recently met in the Leagues Cup final just ten days ago. In that match, Messi scored early on and converted his penalty kick, leading Inter Miami to victory in an 11-round shootout and securing the club’s first-ever trophy. To commemorate their success, Messi and his Inter Miami teammates posed with co-owner Jorge Mas on the field, proudly displaying the Leagues Cup trophy for their home fans to see.
As Inter Miami continues their quest for a playoff spot, the match against Nashville serves as a reminder that even with the presence of Messi, scoring goals cannot always be guaranteed. Nevertheless, the team remains determined to make a late surge up the standings and secure their place in the MLS playoffs.
