- Lionel Messi scored twice and had an assist in Inter Miami’s victory over Nashville
- Sergio Busquets scored his first goal in Miami by heading in a corner taken by Messi.
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Lionel Messi scored twice and set up Sergio Busquets as he dominated again in Inter Miami’s 3-1 win over Nashville on Saturday night.
Messi, who earned his second MLS double after also scoring twice against Orlando on March 2, now has a goal or assist in each of the six league games he has played this season.
Busquets scored his first goal for Inter Miami since reuniting with former Barcelona teammate Messi last summer.
Miami is now undefeated in five games against Nashville since Messi’s arrival and also maintained first place in the Eastern Conference.
But Tata Martino’s team did make it difficult for them and, for the second consecutive week, conceded a goal in the first minutes.
Lionel Messi scored two goals and had an assist in Inter Miami’s 3-1 victory over Nashville.
Messi scored his second double in MLS after also scoring twice against Orlando on March 2.
Messi gave Miami a two-goal lead when he converted a penalty in the 81st minute.
Sergio Busquets scored the tie by heading a corner taken by Messi to the near post.
The Argentine has scored a goal or an assist in each of the six league games he has played this season
An own goal by Miami defender Franco Neri put Nashville ahead. Neri, replacing the injured Jordi Alba, deflected a Daniel Lovitz corner into the Miami net in the second minute.
Miami erased the initial deficit with goals from Messi and Busquets in the 11th and 39th minutes.
Nashville goalkeeper Elliot Panicco deflected Messi’s 12-yard shot toward an open Luis Suarez, who immediately passed it to Messi. With Panicco out of position, Messi converted a sliding shot inside the six-yard box to tie it.
Busquets then scored the equalizer by heading Messi’s corner kick past Panicco to the near post.
Goalkeeper Drake Callender kept Miami ahead when he dove to save a long-range shot from Hany Mukhtar in the 55th minute.
Messi gave Miami a two-goal lead when he converted a penalty in the 81st minute.
Nashville’s Josh Bauer fouled Leo Alfonso on the brink of the penalty and then Messi beat backup goalkeeper Joe Willis inside the left post.
Miami will visit New England next Saturday, while Nashville hosts San Jose.
