July 13, (THEWILL) — Lionel Messi continued his remarkable form early on Sunday, extending his record to five consecutive multi-goal performances as Inter Miami defeated Nashville SC by two goals to one. This victory not only marked Miami’s fifth successive win but also ended Nashville’s impressive 15-match unbeaten streak across all competitions. The result propelled Inter Miami, now with 11 wins, three draws, and five losses, into fifth place in the Supporters’ Shield standings, intensifying their pursuit of a second consecutive title.
Messi’s exceptional scoring run commenced with the two goals he netted against the New England Revolution earlier in the week, making him the only player in Major League Soccer history to achieve four straight multi-goal games. To further stretch that record, he initiated the scoring against Nashville in the 17th minute with a precisely placed free kick. After Nashville equalised early in the second half, Messi capitalised on a defensive error in the 62nd minute, restoring Inter Miami’s lead and ultimately sealing the victory.
The Argentine forward’s two goals brought his tally for the current MLS season to 16 goals in 16 appearances, drawing him level with Nashville’s Sam Surridge, who also has 16 goals in 21 matches. Nashville, with 12 wins, five draws, and five losses, had previously ascended to third in the Supporters’ Shield standings during their unbeaten run, which dated back to mid-April. This period represented the longest active streak of its kind in MLS and Nashville’s most successful stretch in their six-season club history.
Messi’s initial goal was a testament to his expertise, as he expertly bent a low free kick through Nashville’s defensive wall, adding to his impressive career total of 55 goals in 66 matches for Inter Miami. Nashville’s equaliser came in the 49th minute when Hany Mukhtar headed Andy Nájar’s cross past Oscar Ustari. However, Messi’s decisive second goal arose from a misjudgment by Nashville goalkeeper Joe Willis, whose misplaced pass directly to Messi allowed for a simple finish.
This win solidifies Inter Miami’s position as a formidable contender in the 2025 MLS season, while simultaneously halting Nashville’s significant momentum. The match also highlighted Messi’s continued influence and pivotal role in his team’s aspirations for league supremacy, especially after their return from the Club World Cup campaign.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
