Lionel Messi , In a match that promised excitement but left fans wanting more, Lionel Messi and Inter Miami faced off against Nashville SC, resulting in a goalless draw on a Wednesday night at DRV PNK Stadium. This rematch of the Leagues Cup final from Aug. 19 failed to replicate the thrill of their previous encounter.

 Lionel Messi Era Continues

For the second time in his Inter Miami journey, Messi was held scoreless. Despite numerous attempts, including several free kicks, the Argentine superstar couldn’t weave his magic on this occasion. This was a departure from his previous nine games with the MLS club, during which he netted an impressive 11 goals.

Inter Miami coach Tata Martino acknowledged the disappointment but emphasized the need to move forward. He cited the team’s recent successes, including a league game win in New York, as evidence that they could overcome this setback.

The Match Details

While Inter Miami previously defeated Nashville 1-1 (10-9 in PKs) in the Leagues Cup, this match played out differently. Fatigue seemed to be a factor, with Messi and Sergio Busquets having had some rest and coming off the bench in their 2-0 win against the New York Red Bulls the previous Saturday.

Despite the fresh victory in their minds and the Leagues Cup trophy celebration on the pitch before the match, Inter Miami struggled to find their usual energy. Coach Martino noted that they appeared fatigued, which was a departure from their previous games.

Close Calls and Missed Opportunities

Throughout the game, there were several close calls and missed opportunities for both teams. Hany Mukhtar of Nashville was aggressive in the final minutes of extra time but couldn’t break the deadlock. A late corner kick went awry.

Lionel Messi himself attempted a shot early in extra time, only to see it blocked. The match also saw a VAR review for a handball by Inter Miami’s DeAndre Yedlin, which was ultimately ruled in the team’s favor. There was debate about whether a kick by Nashville’s Jacob Shaffelburg had hit Yedlin before going out of bounds.

David Ruiz, after a previous foul, missed a shot on goal in the 87th minute. Despite these close calls, neither team managed to find the back of the net.

Lionel Messi’s Free Kick Miss

One of the most anticipated moments of the match came in the 82nd minute when Messi was fouled, setting up a free kick opportunity. However, much to the disappointment of fans, Messi’s kick was defended by the Nashville wall and shot into the air after the deflection. This was a departure from his usual prowess with free kicks during his Inter Miami career.

Entertaining but Scoreless Finish

The first half of the match featured a lobbed pass from Lionel Messi to Robert Taylor, setting up a potentially exciting goal-scoring opportunity. However, Taylor’s shot missed wide to the left just before halftime, leaving fans entertained but without a goal.

Yellow cards were issued to Inter Miami’s Diego Gomez and Sergio Busquets in the moments leading up to halftime, adding to the physicality of the match.

In the end, both teams played tightly and physically, but the goalkeepers and defenses held strong. Despite the excitement, the match concluded in a scoreless draw.

Conclusion

While the match between Lionel Messi Inter Miami and Nashville SC didn’t result in the anticipated fireworks, it showcased the competitive nature of MLS soccer. Lionel Messi’s inability to find the net, despite his previous goal-scoring prowess, was a surprise. However, both teams demonstrated resilience in their defenses, resulting in a well-fought but ultimately goalless draw. As the season progresses, fans eagerly await Lionel Messi’s next opportunity to shine on the field and propel Inter Miami to victory.