Lionel Messi puts on another MLS masterclass by scoring two goals and assisting Sergio Busquets to help Inter Miami beat Nashville 3-1.
- Lionel Messi scored twice and provided an assist in Inter Miami’s win over Nashville
- Sergio Busquets scored his first Miami goal as he headed in Messi’s corner
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Lionel Messi scored twice and provided an assist for Sergio Busquets as he dominated again in Inter Miami’s 3-1 win over Nashville on Saturday night.
Messi, who notched his second double in MLS after also scoring two against Orlando on March 2, now has a goal or assist in each of the six league matches he has played this season.
Busquets scored his first goal for Inter Miami since reuniting with former Barcelona teammate Messi last summer.
Miami is now undefeated in five matches against Nashville since Messi’s arrival and also maintains first place in the Eastern Conference.
But Tata Martino’s team made it difficult for themselves and, for the second week in a row, conceded a goal in the first minutes.
Lionel Messi scored twice and provided an assist in Inter Miami’s 3-1 win over Nashville
Messi notched his second double in MLS after also scoring two against Orlando on March 2.
Messi gave Miami a two-goal advantage when he converted on a penalty kick in the 81st minute.
Sergio Busquets scored the equalizer as he headed Messi’s corner at the near post
The Argentine has scored a goal or assist in each of the six league matches he has played this season.
An own goal from Miami defender Franco Neri gave Nashville the lead. Neri, replacing the injured Jordi Alba, deflected Daniel Lovitz’s corner into the Miami net in the second minute.
Miami erased the early deficit with goals from Messi and Busquets in the 11th and 39th minutes.
Nashville goalkeeper Elliot Panicco deflected Messi’s 12-yard shot to an open Luis Suarez, who immediately sent it to Messi. With Panicco out of position, Messi converted a sliding shot inside the penalty area for the equalizer.
Busquets then scored the equalizer by heading Messi’s corner at the near post past Panicco.
Goalkeeper Drake Callender kept Miami in the lead when he made a diving save to deny Hany Mukhtar’s long-range strike in the 55th minute.
Messi gave Miami a two-goal advantage when he converted on a penalty kick in the 81st minute.
Nashville’s Josh Bauer fouled Leo Alfonso at the edge of the penalty spot, then Messi beat reserve goalkeeper Joe Willis inside the left post.
Miami travels to New England next Saturday, while Nashville hosts San Jose.
