In the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 match against Nashville, Inter Miami won 3-1 in Florida on Thursday due to goals and assists from Lionel Messi. Miami’s Luis Suarez opened the score in the eighth minute, following an amazing team play. Jordi Alba played a wonderful pass to Messi, who was in a tight area. The Argentine magician sent a brilliant through pass to Suarez, who finished with ease to make it 1-0.
Messi doubled the lead fifteen minutes later. After receiving a pass from Diego Gomez, the former Barcelona star scored to make it 2-0. Miami, meanwhile, won 3-1 because of a goal by Robert Taylor (63′) in the second half. Nashville’s late consolation goal came from Sam Surridge.
Messi’s injury will be a major concern for Miami even with the win. Messi was substituted from the game in the 49th minute, and it is unlikely that he will play in their next Sunday matchup against DC United.
Speaking after the match, Tata Martino, Miami manager said, “He is overloaded in the right posterior. We don’t want to run a risk. We tried to see if he could go for a little longer, but it was bothering him, so we preferred for him to just get out of the game.”
He also added, “I don’t want to risk it, but I imagine that for Saturday’s game, he is not going to be available. We’ll have an evaluation and see some imaging, and we will see how he progresses.”
