A Messi brace secures three points for Miami

Inter Miami 2 – 1 Nashville SC

Inter Miami continued their run of good form since their return to domestic action, following a four-week absence after participating in the Club World Cup.

They’ve hit the ground running since their humbling to PSG in that tournament with three wins in a row. Nashville was the latest team to be on the receiving end of Lionel Messi and co as their fifteen-game unbeaten run came to an end.

There was an element of cheek about both goals as Messi displayed his vast array of skills and experience.

As is often the case, Miami made a bright start, and it didn’t take long before they won a free kick on the edge of the penalty area, in perfect Messi range.

The Miami captain fooled most watchers when he fired the ball low and hard through a gap, into the far corner out of the reach of Joe Willis.

In essence, it was a simple goal, but it took the experience and confidence of a man considered one of the world’s best to execute.

The world’s best argument to one side, this is a man who is still at the top of this game and has been for some years. He may not be as quick or agile as he once was, but Messi is one of the most feared forwards in MLS.

But Nashville still had something to say about the contest and consistently made things difficult for Miami in front of their home fans.

Hany Mukhtar is always going to be a threat, and he kept Miami’s defenders busy, providing a few scary moments in the process.

And the away side got their reward soon after the restart when Patrick Yazbek worked the ball down the right. A quick cross from Andy Najar found that man Mukhtar unmarked in the box, and his powerful header gave Oscar Ustari no chance in goal.

It was another reminder that one goal advantage is never enough, and the opposition won’t need an open invitation, as was the case here. The Miami defenders were left looking at each other, wondering what had happened.

Miami likes to play with the ball, and as a result, they often dominate possession against most teams. This match was no different, with the home side enjoying the lion’s share of possession throughout the match without really taking charge.

It was still a tight encounter, and Coach Javier Mascherano will want to see his side finish games off when they have the chances.

The winning goal came from a goalkeeping mistake. On a day when Willis had done well to keep the Miami attack from breaching his goal too often, initially appeared to have everything under control. He chested down a difficult backpass impressively, but the keeper then got his pass all wrong and played the ball to Messi, of all people.

A goal seemed inevitable, and the diminutive attacker jinked his way closer to the ball before scoring his second and the eventual match winner.

It was tough on Willis, who had played well, but football can be a harsh game, none more so than that of the goalkeeper, who can go from hero to villain in an instant.

It was job done for Mascherano, against a team that could have posed problems. He’ll be delighted with the winning run and will hope it continues.

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