Forward Lionel Messi missed yet another penalty and was booked as Inter Miami suffered a 4-1 defeat at Nashville in a top-of-the-table Major League Soccer clash on Saturday.
England’s Sam Surridge and Germany’s Hany Mukhtar scored second-half goals for the hosts, Nashville, in a showdown between the MLS overall leaders.
Argentina and Miami captain was denied from the penalty spot in the first half and was issued a yellow card in the 59th minute but also assisted Miami’s lone goal, scored by Telasco Segovia.
Messi, the 2022 World Cup winner, struck both posts in second-half stoppage time.
As reported, the Nashville lead MLS with 43 points and a record of 13-2 with four drawn, while Inter Miami are second on 38 points.
It had already knocked Miami out of this year’s CONCACAF Champions Cup in the round of 16.
Defending MLS champions Miami, who had been a league-best 8-1-1 on the road, saw a seven-match undefeated MLS run snapped as Nashville remained unbeaten at home in the MLS campaign.
Honduran defender Andy Najar scored with a header in the 17th minute to give Nashville a 1-0 lead.
Miami had a chance to equalize with a Messi penalty kick in the 23rd minute, but Nashville goalkeeper Brian Schwake saved his weak effort.
The visitors netted the equalizer three minutes into first-half stoppage time when Venezuelan Segovia blasted in a right-footed shot off an assist by Messi.
Messi’s recent record from the penalty spot is poor by his sky-high standards, including missing twice at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
