🏟️ Inter Miami vs Nashville SC Match Recap – July 12, 2025
Lionel Messi continues to defy expectations as Inter Miami secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Nashville SC at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. The Argentine legend scored twice, breaking a Major League Soccer (MLS) record and ending Nashville’s 15-game unbeaten streak.
Credit : AI images⚽ First Half: Messi Magic Strikes Early
The game kicked off with high energy from both sides, but it was Lionel Messi who stole the show just 17 minutes in. Awarded a free-kick just outside the penalty area, Messi curled in a stunning goal past goalkeeper Joe Willis, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
Miami dominated possession, with midfield maestro Sergio Busquets distributing the ball elegantly and full-backs pushing high to support the attack. Nashville looked compact but struggled to contain Messi’s movement and Inter Miami’s overlapping runs.
🔁 Second Half: Nashville Responds, But Messi Has the Last Word
In the 49th minute, Nashville leveled the score through Hany Mukhtar, who connected with a powerful header from a corner, beating Inter Miami’s keeper Drake Callender.
The match looked headed for a draw until the 62nd minute, when Messi pounced on a back-pass mishap from Joe Willis, calmly slotting the ball into the net. It was a true example of the saying, “Pressure creates opportunity.”
📈 Records Shattered by Messi
- 🔥 Fifth consecutive MLS match with a brace – A new league record.
- ⚽ Tied for most goals (16) in the MLS 2025 season alongside Sam Surridge.
- 🎯 Matched Josef Martínez’s 2018 record of 11 goals in six games.
Messi is now not just a leader in goals but also leads in influence and aura, bringing Inter Miami to new heights in the league.
📊 Full-Time Score
| Team | Score |
|---|---|
| Inter Miami | 2 |
| Nashville SC | 1 |
🧠 Tactical Breakdown
Coach Javier Mascherano has restructured Inter Miami into a balanced side with an aggressive attacking mindset. The team’s pressing from the front and Messi’s free role in the final third continues to make Miami a formidable opponent.
Nashville, despite the loss, showed resilience and structure, but individual errors cost them dearly.
🗣️ What the Coaches Said
Mascherano: "As long as the big players like Messi are in form, we’ll keep trusting them. He’s a once-in-a-generation force."
Gary Smith (Nashville SC Coach): "You can plan all you want, but sometimes brilliance just breaks through your system."
📅 What’s Next?
- Inter Miami’s next match: vs Orlando City
- Nashville SC’s next match: vs Philadelphia Union
The MLS 2025 season continues to thrill fans, and with Lionel Messi leading the charge, Inter Miami are serious title contenders.