Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez score as Inter Miami draw Nashville to edge closer to Champions Cup quarterfinals (2024)

What a game

This is a reminder to teams that they have to finish all their chances and it still may not be enough to stop Miami from securing a result. The Herons wobbled defensively but even with a short bench, all you need is Messi and Suarez and things will end up alright. Now heading back to Fort Lauderdale, any draw where Miami doesn't concede three goals will at a minimum send things to extra time.

SUAREZ brings it level!!!

When the seven mintues came up on the board, it was only a matter of time until Miami pushed through and it has been another match with Messi and Suarez both finding the back of the net. Sergio Busquets found the Uruguayan for the goal and conceding two road goals is quite a blow for Nashville.

Called back

It was a very marginal offside call but Morre was judged to be ahead of the play during build up to his goal.

SHAQ MOORE!!!!!

The American with what could be the deciding goal as Miami's defense collapsed yet again!

Messi will continue on but Ruiz enters

The Herons need fresh legs in the match and David Ruiz entering for Julian Gressel will do that while also trying to regain control of midfield for the final nine mintues.

Messi receives treatment

A challenge from MacNaughton caught the Argentine as this has been a physical game on both ends of the pitch. Multiple players will need ice baths tonight.

Miami can't close Nashville down

There have been plenty of chances for Nashville to pick up a third goal as it has been so easy to cut through Miami's midfield. Playing multiple games in a week doesn't suit the Herons as this does not look like the same team that cut through Orlando City during the weekend.

It's getting a little Concacafy

Messi and Suarez are going back and forth with Godoy. It's only verbal following a challenge but the fire between the two teams can be felt.

Crunch time

Nashville conceded a corner out of an abundance of caution but Miami couldn't make them pay for it. With 27 minutes remaining, it's becoming time to slow the match down and let things play out but this would be a massive victory for Nashville if they can pull it off.

So close for Gomez

Saved by the flag as the Paraguayan had the ball in the back of the net. While it will be reviewed, at the moment, Miami have been denied an equalizer.

The comeback could be on

Messi has scored and not only does Miami have a road goal but they're within one of tying the game back up. It's an assist from Luis Suarez as the duo are doing what they do best. About 40 more minutes remain and we're in for an exciting finish.

Shaffelburg x2!!!!!!

These have been some powerful finishes as Nashville now has an insurance goal too. What a start to this one as the Herons will really need to fight back.

Trailing at the half

Inter Miami has yet to trail at the intermission during a match this season but they're in unfamiliar territory tonight in Nashville. Could the Herons be on track for their first loss of the season at a critical time in the last 16 of Concacaf Champions League?

Missing Jordi Alba

Noah Allen was played into acres of space but was unable to put a cross into the box that an attacker could get a foot to. Only a few minutes until halftime but Miami are still trailing.

Close for Messi again

It's a deflected shot this time, Inter Miami are knocking but unable to come up with an answer yet. Dominating possession, against most teams, the Herons would be overwhelming them, but Nashville is built for this.

Moore and Noah Allen collide

After a clash of heads, there will be a concussion check for both players before the match continues.

Settling but no Miami breakthrough

The Defense is still giving up far too many chances as Mukhtar is feeling it and fires a shot right at Drake Callender. 22 minutes into the match, it's clear that Nashville learned from their Leagues Cup loss to the Herons last year and they're ready to play.

Almost another for Nashville

This is a far from ideal start for Inter Miami. On the bright side, it's early so there is plenty of time to settle as Miami can never be fully filled out of a match. The passing isn't fluid and even Messi is missing shots from areas in the center of the pitch. If things don't improve, expect Martino to stray from the back three.

Nashville strikes first!

What a run through the middle they weaved through the Miami defense as Shaq Moore kept control centrally and Jacob Shaffelburg was able to have a composed finish to keep GEODIS Park rocking.

Nashville SC 2, Inter Miami 2 (2H)

We're off in Nashville

Miami's passing the ball from side to side and we're going to see if the Herons can get off to another fast start.

Prediction

Inter Miami will roll through this match if Mukhtar can't feature leading to quite a victory for the Herons as Suarez and Messi will both get on the score sheet. Pick:Nashville 0, Inter Miami 2

Raising the mood for the last 16

"Hany has played such a special role for our club, as well as our city, and we are very proud to see him commit to being a part of the present and future here in Nashville," saidNashville SC General Manager Mike Jacobs.

Nashville Storylines

Hany Mukhtar may have just signed a new contract with Nashville but he isn't 100% fit for this match after leaving the Champions Cup match against Moca FC at halftime with an injury. He has yet to feature in an MLS match for Nashville and while he will take part in the match, it will remain to be seen how long he will feature for.

Inter Miami storylines

What a start to the season that Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez are having. Each has been involved in five or more goals in only three games played as Miami's attack has been hard to stop. It will be interesting to see how the defense shakes out as DeAndre Yedlin has been traded to FC Cincinnati without a replacement being added yet so Julian Gressel may need to move out of midfield to operate as a wing back in the match. Away goals matter in the Champions Cup so it's important for Miami to score as many goals as possible to avoid the need to shut Nashville out at home.

Hany Mukhtar is back in the starting XI

Nothing shows how much this game means to Nashville more than Mukhtar's return. While he may not be fit enough to go 90 minutes, this team is more effective with a 50% fit Mukhtar on the pitch than without him.

Starters: Willis, Lovitz, MacNaughton, Mukhtar, Boyd, Shaffelburg, Moore, Muyl, Godoy, Zimmerman, Davis

Reserves: Panicco, Maher, Sejdic, Bunbury, Yearwood, Gaines, Ajago, Bauer, Washington, Anunga, Kallman

It's a debut for Federico Redondo

With DeAndre Yedlin in Cincinnati now, the Herons have a few changes to the XI from their match against Orlando but the biggest is new signing, Redondo patrolling the midfield alongside Sergio Busquets. Jordi Alba also misses out due to illness.

Starters: Callender, Busquets, Aviles, Suarez, Messi, Gomez, Freire, Gressel, Kryvtsov, Allen, Redondo

Reserves: Dos Santos, Jensen, Sailor, Taylor, Ruiz, Sunderland, Borgelin, Boatwright

How to watch and odds

• Date: Thursday, March 6 |Time: 9 p.m. ET
• Location: GEODIS Park -- Nashville, Tennessee
• TV:FS2 |Live stream:fuboTV (Try for free)
• Odds:Nashville SC +201; Draw +260; Inter Miami +105

Hello and welcome

Inter Miami's Concacaf Champions Cup campaign will kick off with a trip to face Nashville SC. Nashville star Hany Mukhtar has been back in training but he may not be fit enough to start the match from the start after being withdrawn from their first match of the season against Moca FC with an injury. As Miami has started the season in good form, Nashville will need all the attacking power that they can get despite the match taking place in the friendly confines of GEODIS Park.