England’s Sam Surridge and Germany’s Hany Mukhtar scored second-half goals for the hosts in a showdown between the Major League Soccer overall leaders. Argentina and Miami captain Messi was denied from the penalty spot in the first half and issued a yellow card in the 59th minute but also assisted Inter’s lone goal. Messi struck both posts in second-half stoppage time.
Lionel Messi missed yet another penalty and was booked as Inter Miami suffered a 4-1 loss at Nashville on Saturday in a top-of-the-table MLS clash.
Nashville had already knocked Miami out of this year’s CONCACAF Champions Cup in the round of 16. Defending MLS champion Miami, which had been a league-best 8-1-1 on the road, saw a seven-match undefeated MLS run snapped as Nashville remained unbeaten at home in the MLS campaign.
Miami had a chance to equalize with a Messi penalty kick in the 23rd minute but Nashville goalkeeper Brian Schwake saved his weak effort. Messi’s record from the penalty spot is poor by his sky-high standards, including missing twice at the World Cup. Honduran defender Andy Najar scored with a header in the 17th minute to give Nashville a 1-0 lead. Mukhtar, the 2022 MLS Most Valuable Player, put Nashville back in front in the 49th minute.
