Lionel Messi scored twice and added an assist as Inter Miami picked up a win to start the 2025 MLS Cup playoffs, defeating Nashville SC 3–1 in Game 1 of their Round One best-of-three series.
Fresh off winning the MLS Golden Boot and being named a finalist for MLS MVP, Messi opened the scoring for the Herons in the 19th minute with a diving header off a cross from longtime teammate Luis Suárez, showcasing the 38-year-old’s off-ball smarts with deceiving runs into the box.
In the second half, the Argentine picked up a secondary assist as Tadeo Allende netted his first postseason goal, putting his side up 2–0. Miami continued to attack and their third goal came easily; Messi tapped in a spilled cross from Nashville goalkeeper Joe Willis to ice the victory on the home pitch in second-half stoppage time.
Nashville pushed throughout the match, but weren't able to find a goal until the final moments of second-half stoppage time when Hany Mukhtar struck home a direct free kick as the final action of the match.
With the win, Miami now sit a game away from advancing in the playoffs for the first time in club history. To clinch a spot in the second round of the postseason, the Herons will need to win either Game 2 at Nashville’s GEODIS Park or a potential Game 3 back at Chase Stadium, with either FC Cincinnati or Columbus Crew waiting in the next round.
