The $2025$ MLS Cup Playoffs delivered intense drama. Specifically, the Round One series between Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC is heading to a winner-take-all decider. Nashville, playing at home, secured a crucial $2-1$ victory in Game $2$. This hard-fought win denied Lionel Messi and his star-studded team an early trip to the conference semifinals. Furthermore, the result ended a nearly two-year winless streak for Nashville against Miami since Messi’s arrival. Consequently, the series is now level at one game apiece. The tension is immense as both teams prepare for the final showdown in South Florida. Ultimately, the match was a testament to Nashville’s commitment and defensive resolve against the formidable star power of Inter Miami. Messi
A Tale of Two Halves: Nashville’s Early Knockout Blow Messi
Nashville SC entered Game $2$ with a clear mandate: respond decisively following a disappointing $3-1$ loss in the series opener. The Coyotes delivered a committed, aggressive, and intense performance, which successfully stunned Inter Miami in the first half.
- Penalty Opener: The deadlock broke early, just nine minutes into the match. Nashville’s high press forced a decisive error. Sam Surridge, an MVP finalist, charged toward the goal. He forced a reckless challenge from Inter Miami goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo. Novo hesitated coming off his line. He was penalized for the foul inside the box. Surridge calmly slotted the ensuing penalty low to the left, giving Nashville the crucial $1-0$ lead. This goal, Surridge’s $32$nd of the season, set the aggressive tone for the hosts.
- A Costly Set Piece: Nashville doubled their lead moments before halftime. Josh Bauer connected with Hany Mukhtar’s corner kick. Bauer, a defender, reacted quickest to the loose ball near the goal line. He successfully poked the ball over the line. This set piece goal pushed Nashville’s lead to $2-0$. The tally marked Bauer’s first-ever MLS Cup Playoff goal, sending Nashville into the break with a significant momentum advantage. Inter Miami, conversely, was left ruing a signature slow start and defensive lapses.
Messi’s Late Strike: Too Little, Too Late Messi
The second half was largely dominated by Inter Miami. Coach Javier Mascherano’s side stepped up their intensity and desperately pressed for a way back into the game. Luis Suárez missed an opportunity in the $66$th minute. His close-range shot was parried away by Nashville goalkeeper Joe Willis. This save preserved Nashville’s vital lead.
Despite Miami’s pressure, Nashville maintained a monumental defensive effort. The Coyotes’ defenders consistently cut off passing angles. They neutralized the intricate play of Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. This defensive solidity successfully limited Messi’s impact for nearly the entire match. Nashville head coach B.J. Callaghan had prepared his team to be “committed to playing in an aggressive and intense way,” and his players executed the plan flawlessly.
The moment of individual brilliance arrived in the $90$th minute. The reigning MLS Golden Boot winner, Lionel Messi, received a pass from Rodrigo De Paul inside the box. Messi skillfully wrong-footed his defender. He unleashed a trademark left-footed shot into the upper corner of the net. The powerful strike made the score $2-1$. This goal, Messi’s $32$nd of the MLS campaign, gave Inter Miami a sliver of hope. However, despite six minutes of frantic stoppage time, Miami could not find the equalizer. Nashville held on for the memorable victory.
The Rivalry: Nashville Breaks the Hoodoo
The win was significant for Nashville SC. It was their first-ever victory against Inter Miami since Messi joined the club in the summer of $2023$. The Coyotes had previously suffered several defeats against the Herons. This included the heartbreak of losing the Leagues Cup $2023$ final. Therefore, the victory allowed Nashville to finally “get that monkey off our back,” as Josh Bauer stated.
The win injected massive confidence into the sixth-seeded side. It also validated their belief that they can compete against the league’s most dominant team. The dramatic result now pushes the Round One Best-of-$3$ series to the decisive Game $3$.
What’s Next: A Winner-Take-All Decider Messi
The series now shifts back to South Florida. Inter Miami will host Nashville SC in the winner-take-all Game $3$ on November $8$ at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. The winner will advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals to face the winner of the Cincinnati vs. Columbus series.
The loss is an unwelcome reminder for Inter Miami. They suffered a shock first-round exit last year after taking an early lead in their playoff series. Coach Mascherano urged his team to “swallow the anger” from the Game $2$ defeat. He told them to unleash that energy next Saturday. Consequently, the stage is set for a high-stakes, intense final confrontation. Nashville will enter as the underdogs, but they now have the belief and the momentum to pull off an upset on the road. Messi
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