Nashville extend MLS lead with dominant victory over Inter Miami

Nashville SC maintained their position at the summit of Major League Soccer with a comprehensive 4-1 victory over defending champions Inter Miami on Saturday. The result extends Nashville’s unbeaten home record in the current campaign and leaves the visitors trailing by five points in the standings.

Lionel Messi, the Argentina and Inter Miami captain, had a difficult afternoon, missing a first-half penalty and receiving a yellow card in the 59th minute. His penalty attempt in the 23rd minute was saved by Nashville goalkeeper Brian Schwake, who repelled a weak effort from the spot. Messi’s record from the penalty spot has been described as poor by his own high standards, including two misses at the 2026 World Cup.

Nashville took the lead in the 17th minute through a header from Honduran defender Andy Najar. Inter Miami were unable to respond before the break, though Messi did provide an assist for Telasco Segovia’s equaliser in the first-half stoppage time. The Venezuelan forward fired a right-footed shot into the net to level the scores.

The visitors’ hopes of a comeback were extinguished in the second half. Hany Mukhtar, the 2022 MLS Most Valuable Player, restored Nashville’s lead in the 49th minute. England’s Sam Surridge added a third goal to make it 3-1, before Mukhtar scored his second in the 63rd minute to secure the result. Messi struck both posts in second-half stoppage time but could not find a fourth goal.

The defeat snaps Inter Miami’s seven-match undefeated run in the league. Prior to this match, the defending champions held a league-best away record of eight wins, one draw, and one loss. Nashville, who previously eliminated Inter Miami from the CONCACAF Champions Cup in the round of 16, now sit on 43 points with 13 wins, two losses, and four draws. Inter Miami remain in second place with 38 points.