Messi misses penalty as Nashville beat Inter Miami 4-1 in MLS

Nashville SC beat Inter Miami 4-1 on Saturday to strengthen their position at the top of MLS, with Lionel Messi missing a first-half penalty for the visitors. The result moved Nashville to 43 points, five clear of second-placed Miami on 38.

Andy Najar put Nashville ahead in the 17th minute, heading in the opening goal. Miami were given an opportunity to respond six minutes later when Messi stepped up from the penalty spot, but goalkeeper Brian Schwake stopped his effort.

Messi was shown a yellow card in the 59th minute, but he still played a part in Miami’s only goal. Three minutes into first-half stoppage time, his assist set up Telasco Segovia, who struck with his right foot to make it 1-1.

Nashville regained the lead four minutes after the restart through Hany Mukhtar. Sam Surridge then made it 3-1 before Mukhtar scored again in the 63rd minute, completing the home side’s second-half surge.

The defeat ended Miami’s seven-match unbeaten MLS run and their strong away record in the league. Miami had won eight of their previous 10 MLS matches on the road, with one draw and one defeat, while Nashville remained unbeaten at home in this season’s league campaign.

Nashville’s record now stands at 13 wins, two defeats and four draws. Miami’s latest sequence across their listed matches had included two wins and three draws, with victories over Karlsruher SC and Lazio before Saturday’s loss. Nashville had also eliminated Miami from this year’s CONCACAF Champions Cup in the round of 16.