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Lionel Messi scored a stunning second-half goal and Luis Suárez scored in second-half stoppage time to earn a thrilling 2-2 draw for Inter Miami in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup against Nashville SC on Thursday.
Just seven months ago, Miami beat Nashville on penalties in the Leagues Cup final, and this one had all the elements of a tournament classic: tensions boiling over, a fine VAR decision and, ultimately, the best players appearing in the final. clutch.
It looked like it would be a frustrating night for Messi despite his goal, as he survived a late injury, complained to the referee and got into a heated confrontation with his opponent Aníbal Godoy in the second half.
However, teammate and good friend Suarez headed in the equalizer in the 96th minute thanks to Sergio Busquets, and Miami now goes into the second leg with a crucial away goals advantage.
Nashville waited less than four minutes to take control of the game, with Jacob Shaffelburg firing a left-footed shot high into the net over goalkeeper Drake Callender.
Luis Suarez and his Inter Miami teammates celebrate after he scored a late equalizer
At the beginning of the second half, Lionel Messi walked away to celebrate the goal.
Still, it was a tense night at times, as Messi later exchanged words with Aníbal Godoy.
Although Shaffelburg completed the play, it was American defender Shaq Moore who was at the center of it, driving in after receiving the ball on the right before picking it up again and feeding his teammate for the score.
Nashville soon had a saved shot off the line as well, although the play was ultimately ruined for offside.
It wasn’t a great half for Miami, but Messi certainly made his presence felt when he twice came close to scoring.
On the first occasion, he shot wide from about 12 yards inside the 13th minute after being supplied by teenager Noah Allen.
And it wasn’t the first time the two connected in the half, as a clever ball from the left back found Messi about 20 minutes later after a shot from Luis Suárez.
Messi was able to surpass Daniel Lovitz from Nashville but he shot straight at goalkeeper Joe Willis. – and after a good try from Julian Gressel before the break, Nashville made their visitors pay for their lack of cutting edge.
Shaffelburg started the second period just as they did the first, cutting in from the left before firing into the top corner for a 2-0 lead.
That lead did not hold for long, however, as Messi finally beat Willis in the 57th minute and slotted the ball into the goal from the top of the box after being supplied by Suarez.
Nashville appeared to have put the game away when Moore scored in the 83rd minute, but the goal was disallowed for offside.
Suarez then took advantage of a familiar connection with Sergio Busquets in the 96th minute and headed home to give Miami an away goals advantage back in South Florida.
