Lionel Messi continued his remarkable performance, scoring in his fifth consecutive game as Inter Miami triumphed over Nashville SC 2-1 on Saturday, ending Nashville’s impressive 15-game unbeaten streak. With this win, Miami (11-3-5) secured its fifth straight victory, moving into fifth place in the Supporters’ Shield standings.
Messi made history by becoming the first player in Major League Soccer to achieve four consecutive multi-goal games; he had previously netted two goals against the New England Revolution on Wednesday. The 38-year-old opened the scoring with a free kick in the 17th minute. Although Nashville equalized early in the second half through Hany Mukhtar, Messi swiftly responded, regaining the lead for Miami with another goal in the 62nd minute.
This season, Messi has tallied 16 goals in 16 MLS matches, tying with Nashville’s Sam Salridge for the most in the league. Nashville (12-5-5) had entered the match on a five-game winning streak but dropped to third place in the Supporters’ Shield rankings, marking the end of their unbeaten run dating back to mid-April. Messi’s first goal featured a skillful low free kick that bypassed Nashville’s wall, showcasing his exceptional talent.
Mukhtar’s equalizer came from a cross by Andy Najar that found him in the box, allowing him to score in the 49th minute. Messi’s second goal capitalized on a mistake by Nashville’s goalkeeper Joe Willis.
This news highlights Messi’s continued impact in the MLS, demonstrating his ability to perform at a high level even in a new league. For soccer fans, it underscores the excitement and quality that big-name players can bring to the sport in the U.S., potentially attracting more viewers and supporters to the league.
