Inter Miami 4-0 Nashville SC, MLS Cup 2025 Playoff: Messi Double Propels Herons To Eastern Conference Semi-final

Lionel Messi delivered another masterclass as Inter Miami beat Nashville SC 4-0 in the first-round MLS Cup 2025 playoff decider at Chase Stadium on Saturday. The Argentine scored in the 10th and 39th minutes before adding two assists in the second half, helping the Herons reach the Eastern Conference semi-finals. Messi opened the scoring after winning the ball and dribbling past defenders to find the back of the net. His second came via a well-timed run onto a long ball. In the 73rd and 76th minutes, he laid off two assists for Tadeo Allende, helping Javier Mascherano's side seal an emphatic win.

Updated on: 9 November 2025 5:07 pm

MLS Cup 2025 Playoff Inter Miami vs Nashville SC- Lionel messi

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi, left, celebrates after scoring in front of Nashville SC midfielder Andy Najar, right, during the first half of Game 3 in the first round of MLS soccer's Western Conference playoffs in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. | Photo: AP/Michael Laughlin

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MLS Cup 2025 Playoff Inter Miami vs Nashville SC- Rodrigo de Paul

Nashville SC defender Walker Zimmerman (25) tries to steal the ball from Inter Miami midfielder Rodrigo de Paul, left, during the second half of Game 3 in the first round of MLS soccer's Western Conference playoffs in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. | Photo: AP/Michael Laughlin

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MLS Cup 2025 Playoff Inter Miami vs Nashville SC- Tadeo Allende

Inter Miami forward Tadeo Allende (21) celebrates with forward Mateo Silvetti (24) after a goal during the second half of Game 3 in the first round of MLS soccer's Western Conference playoffs against Nashville SC in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. | Photo: AP/Michael Laughlin

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MLS Cup 2025 Playoff Inter Miami vs Nashville SC- Sergio Busquets

Inter Miami midfielder Sergio Busquets (5) defends Nashville SC midfielder Gastón Brugman (7) during the second half of Game 3 in the first round of MLS soccer's Western Conference playoffs in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. | Photo: AP/Michael Laughlin

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MLS Cup 2025 Playoff Inter Miami vs Nashville SC- Lionel Messi-1

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi, center right, dribbles past Nashville SC defender Jack Maher, center left, during the second half of Game 3 in the first round of MLS soccer's Western Conference playoffs in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. | Photo: AP/Michael Laughlin

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Inter Miami forward Tadeo Allende (21) celebrates with Lionel Messi (10) after a goal during the second half of Game 3 in the first round of MLS soccer's Western Conference playoffs against Nashville SC in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. | Photo: AP/Michael Laughlin

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MLS Cup 2025 Playoff Inter Miami vs Nashville SC-Jordi Alba

Inter Miami defender Jordi Alba controls the ball during the second half of Game 3 in the first round of MLS soccer's Western Conference playoffs against Nashville SC in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. | Photo: AP/Michael Laughlin

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Inter Miami midfielder Rodrigo de Paul (7) dribbles during the first half of Game 3 in the first round of MLS soccer's Western Conference playoffs against Nashville SC in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. | Photo: AP/Michael Laughlin

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Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi, top, celebrates with forward Mateo Silvetti, bottom, after scoring during the first half of Game 3 in the first round of MLS soccer's Western Conference playoffs against Nashville SC in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. | Photo: AP/Michael Laughlin

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MLS Cup 2025 Playoff Inter Miami vs Nashville SC-Mateo Silvetti

Inter Miami forward Mateo Silvetti tries to stop the ball during the second half of Game 3 in the first round of MLS soccer's Western Conference playoffs against Nashville SC in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. | Photo: AP/Michael Laughlin