Lionel Messi scored two goals, and Inter Miami took advantage of an admittedly sloppy Nashville SC to earn a 3-1 win and take a 1-0 lead in the first round of their MLS playoff series. The Argentine was short of his best, but opportunistic at the right moments, and the Herons' only real gripe can be that they didn't keep a clean sheet in their pursuit of an evasive MLS Cup.
This all looked like classic Miami from the first minute. They were thoroughly outplayed in the opening exchanges and should have gone behind, had it not been for an untimely slip from Jacob Shaffelburg as he ran through on goal.
Messi soon got into the game, though. And he played architect for the opener. Luis Suarez picked up the ball on the right, and Messi ghosted to the center of the box. Neither defender tracked him, and Messi easily nodded home.
Tadeo Allende should have made it two in the first half, and eventually did in the second. The goal was a well constructed thing, an Ian Fray cross landing agreeably on Allende's forehead, who had sufficient space to nod home unchallenged. Nashville had more of the ball in the second half, but did admittedly little with it.
Miami were, in the most part, happy to defend. They were rather gifted a third when a defensive mishap gave Messi the ball in front of an open goal. He poked it home. Nashville's defense looked around. Miami took a 3-0 lead. A late Hany Mukhtar free kick, where the German scored, did little to change the result. This wasn't perfect, but Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano will certainly be pleased.
GOAL rates Inter Miami's players from Chase Stadium…
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Rocco Rios Novo (7/10):
Didn't really have loads to do, other than claim a cross or two. Denied Surridge late. Could do nothing about Mukhtar's late free kick.
Ian Fray (8/10):
Grabbed himself an assist, and held down his side of the pitch effectively. A really good night.
Maxi Falcon (7/10):
A bit chaotic, which is kind of his thing. Made a few tackles, missed a few tackles, but Miami kept a clean sheet.
Noah Allen (7/10):
Made a big mistake early on that really should have been punished by Shaffelburg. Settled down thereafter.
Jordi Alba (6/10):
Industrious on the left, looked to combine, but was a little lacking in his final ball.
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Sergio Busquets (6/10):
Not involved much. Picked up a yellow that could have probably been a red. Won some important tackles, otherwise.
Rodrigo De Paul (7/10):
Scrappy, a bit of an irritant, and played a ball that was crucial in the run up to the opening goal.
Lionel Messi (8/10):
Pretty magical, as per usual. Found all sorts of spaces, scored a wonderful goal, bagged an easy second. Makes it look so easy.
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Tadeo Allende (7/10):
Should have scored to double Miami's lead. Eventually did in the second half. Has found the net 11 times this season in MLS. A really good signing.
Luis Suarez (8/10):
His ball to Messi for Miami's opener was delightful. Had a couple of chances well denied. Not happening for him in front of goal, but was still mightily effective.
Baltasar Rodriguez (6/10):
Never fully worked his way into the game. Put in the legwork, but certainly could have been more effective when called upon.
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Telasco Segovia (7/10):
A solid shift with a few nice touches.
Mateo Silvetti (N/A):
No time to make an impact
Yannick Bright (N/A):
No time to make an impact
Gonzalo Lujan (N/A):
No time to make an impact
Javier Mascherano (8/10):
Didn't change much on the night, and didn't really have to. Miami took their chances and defended well enough to earn a routine win. A few more of those will do them just fine.