Lionel Messi, fresh off claiming the 2025 MLS Golden Boot, wasted no time asserting his undisputed dominance in the postseason, scoring a spectacular brace to lead Inter Miami CF to a commanding 3-1 victory over Nashville SC in Game 1 of the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs Round One series. The crucial win, secured on Friday night at a packed Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, hands the Herons a vital 1-0 lead in the best-of-three Eastern Conference matchup and signals their serious intent to lift the MLS Cup title this year.
The atmosphere crackled with anticipation, and the night began with an official acknowledgement of greatness. Prior to kickoff, MLS Commissioner Don Garber presented Messi with the prestigious Golden Boot award. The Argentine maestro had earned the honor after an astounding regular season in which he netted a league-high 29 goals in just 28 matches, surpassing his closest competitors, LAFC’s Denis Bouanga and Nashville’s Sam Surridge (both on 24 goals), by a significant margin. This accolade, a first for an Inter Miami player, served as the perfect, high-profile prelude to the high-stakes playoff clash and cemented Messi’s place among the league’s all-time great single-season performers. Commissioner Garber praised Messi, noting he had “reset the trajectory” for Major League Soccer, a testament to his historic impact.
Once the referee’s whistle signaled the start of the playoff action, it was clear Messi was intent on adding to his already legendary tally. He broke the deadlock in the 19th minute with a moment of brilliant combination play and a truly rare sight in his career: a spectacular diving header. After initiating the play, the captain exchanged a quick pass with his former Barcelona teammate Luis Suárez outside the box. Suárez, displaying his playmaking quality, delivered a precise cross back toward the penalty spot, which Messi met with a full-stretch dive, sending the ball powerfully past Nashville keeper Joe Willis to make it 1-0. The goal was a statement of veteran commitment and clinical finishing in a pressure moment.
Inter Miami’s midfield, marshaled by Sergio Busquets and Rodrigo De Paul, controlled the tempo for the remainder of the first half, patiently probing the Nashville defense. While the visitors defended resolutely and saw a couple of chances go begging, the score remained 1-0 going into the halftime break.
The second half saw the Herons emerge with renewed intensity and double their lead in the 62nd minute, thanks to a goal from the active attacker Tadeo Allende. Messi was heavily involved in the buildup, finding Ian Fray on the right wing with a perfectly weighted pass. Fray’s first-time cross was met by Allende, whose header from close range flew into the net, giving Miami a decisive 2-0 advantage. Allende’s 12th goal of the league campaign highlighted the depth and cohesive attacking movement of coach Javier Mascherano’s side, demonstrating that the team is far more than a one-man show.
Despite the two-goal cushion, Inter Miami pushed for the third to fully secure the tie. The match entered a lengthy period of second-half injury time—eleven minutes in total—and Messi provided the clinching goal in the 96th minute. The goal was an opportunistic finish: capitalizing on a loose ball after Nashville keeper Joe Willis failed to corral a cross from Jordi Alba, Messi slotted home his second of the night into an empty net. This brace—his first-ever MLS postseason brace for the club—secured the final nail in the coffin. Nashville managed a late consolation goal in the 101st minute from a brilliant Hany Mukhtar free-kick, but it was nothing more than window dressing on a night dominated by the Herons, who finished 3-1 winners.
Speaking after the match, Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano praised the team’s focus and intensity, but stressed that the series is far from over. “We’re happy to have won the first one, but this is just the beginning,” Mascherano stated. “The team did very well today in terms of intensity, focus, understanding the moments when to attack and when to defend. We showed that we are growing as a team, and that’s the most important thing.” Mascherano’s comments underscore the seriousness with which Inter Miami is approaching their MLS Cup pursuit.
The victory, achieved just a day after Inter Miami officially announced a three-year contract extension for Messi that will keep the 38-year-old superstar in Florida through 2028, provides massive momentum. Messi’s two goals bring his total goal contributions for the season to an astonishing 48 (31 goals and 17 assists), putting him just one contribution shy of Carlos Vela’s all-time single-season MLS record of 49. Furthermore, his performance against Nashville continues his remarkable record against the Coyotes, whom Miami has not lost to since his arrival in 2023. Game 2 of the series will take place in Nashville on November 1, where Inter Miami will look to clinch their passage to the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
