With a 3-1 (5-3 aggregate) victory against Nashville on Wednesday, Inter Miami advanced to the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals with two goals from Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi.
Messi assisted Suarez for the opening goal in the eighth minute and the Argentine scored in the 23rd minute. However, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner was substituted in the 50th minute and Robert Taylor’s header in the 63rd minute sealed the victory.
Miami, playing in the competition for the first time, will take on the winner of Thursday’s second leg between Mexico’s Monterrey and MLS’s FC Cincinnati in the quarterfinals.
Miami coach Gerardo Martino took Messi off for Taylor 5 minutes after the break, with no evident signs of an injury on the Argentine.
Nashville grabbed momentum once the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner departed, and they attacked with great determination. Callender had to make a fantastic save from point-blank range to stop Lukas MacNaughton. However, Suarez’s wonderful ball into the box towards Taylor, who curled in his header to make it 3-0, put an end to any hope of a Nashville comeback.
Wednesday’s later game is an all-Mexico clash, with Club America defending a 3-0 first-leg lead at home against Chivas Guadalajara.
