Messi Propels Inter Miami to Historic First MLS Playoff Series victory
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – Lionel Messi scored two second-half goals as Inter Miami defeated Nashville SC 2-0 on Wednesday, securing their first-ever MLS playoff series win and advancing to the Eastern Conference semifinal. The victory marks a significant milestone for the club, overcoming past playoff disappointments and extending the careers of veteran teammates Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets.
Inter Miami’s triumph comes after previously falling in the first round of the playoffs in 2020, 2022, and 2024 – a notably stinging defeat last year following a Supporters’ Shield winning regular season against Atlanta United. Wednesday’s win erases those memories and sets up a highly anticipated matchup against FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium in Ohio.
“I’m really happy as I think the team, wiht its mistakes and its strengths, has always given its all throughout the season,” said Inter Miami assistant coach Javier Mascherano. “We’ve had some very,very good stretches during the regular season and in other competitions as well. And it would have been very unfair to be eliminated at this stage.”
Messi, who finished the three-game series with five goals, has now scored 12 goals in seven career matches against Nashville, his most against any MLS opponent since joining the league in July 2023. Allende scored two goals in a span of five minutes to clinch the win.
Goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo recorded his first clean sheet of the 2025 postseason, despite Nashville’s 11 shots on goal.
The Inter Miami-Cincinnati winner will face either top-seeded Philadelphia union or fifth-seeded New York City FC in the Eastern Conference final. Saturday’s victory also guarantees at least one more game for Alba and Busquets, who have both announced their retirement at the end of the current season.
