FORTH LAUDERDALE, FL (SMI-GLOBAL-SPORTS-OCT-24, 2025)-Inter-Miami FC defeats Nashville FC 3-1, in the first match out 3-game series to kick-off the 2025 MLS Playoff with Global Super-star Lionel Messi scoring 2-goals, registering an assist and who re-signed a three-year extension with the Club on a Friday's evening game at Chase Stadium.

Prior to the start of the game, MLS commissioner Don Garber presented the 2025 MLS Golden Boot award to Lionel Messi for leading the season with 29-goals in 28 games, and called Messi: " The Unicorn of The Unicorns" for his sensational soccer skill in the MLS league.


The  Herons and Coyotes exchanged two counter-attacks each without any major danger at either goal for the first 15' minute of the game. After Nashville defender
Daniel Lovitz failed to clear the ball through the left-side field on his own half, midfielder Rodrigo Depaul passed the ball to Lionel Messi who on a breakaway played it to Luis Suarez  and centered the ball inside the 18' to Messi who scored with a header to put Inter Miami FC in front 1-0, at 19' mark.

Miami kept the pressure, forward Tadeo Allende and defender Ian fray  missed two clear opportunity to score within a minute apart when Allende shot a right-footed towards goal but it was saved by goalkeeper Joe Willis and  Fray missing wide to send both teams to the locker-rooms with the Herons 1-0, at the half. 
 
In the second half, both teams locked-up their defensive line for the first 15' minutes until the Herons increased its lead of 2-0, through striker Allende at 62'  mark.  Th goal-play was originated by Lionel Messi through the right-side field corner, passed it to defender Ian Fray who sent the ball inside the penalty box intended to Allende who scored with a header for Miami 2-0, and sent the crowd in wild celebration.

With the game-time winding down and stoppage time, Lionel Messi found a loose ball inside 6-yard box and scored his second goal of the game at 90+6, after Nashville goalkeeper Joe Willis and defender Walker Zimmerman collided in search of the ball, leaving Messi all along with an empty net to seal the 3-1, victory of Inter-Miami over the Coyotes. Nashville's Hany Mukhtar discounted for the Coyotes at 90+12.  


Article Written & Photo By Marcello Cutti II/Starlight Illustrated