FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are just three wins away from an MLS Cup title.
Messi scored two first-half goals and added two assists, leading the way as third-seeded Inter Miami defeated sixth-seeded Nashville SC 4-0 on Saturday night in the decisive Game 3 of their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series. Tadeo Allende scored twice in the second half, both goals set up by Messi about three minutes apart, blowing the game open for Inter Miami, which outscored Nashville 8-3 in the series.
Messi had a hand in all eight of those goals, scoring five himself and assisting on the other three.
Up next, Inter Miami will face FC Cincinnati in an Eastern Conference semifinal match on Nov. 22 or Nov. 23. Unlike the best-of-three format in Round 1, everything from this point forward is single-elimination.
Cincinnati went 1-0-1 against Inter Miami this season, winning 3-0 at home on July 16 and playing to a scoreless draw in Fort Lauderdale on July 26. Messi played in the first meeting but did not appear in the second.
“We know Cincinnati will be a tough test,” said Inter Miami’s Jordi Alba, who plans to retire following this playoff run, after making his 100th appearance with the club.
Messi is a heavy favorite to win his second straight MLS MVP award. If he succeeds, he would become the first back-to-back winner in league history. He also won the Golden Boot as MLS’ leading scorer this season, recently finalized a new three-year contract extension to remain with Inter Miami through 2028, and appears to be playing some of his best soccer at the perfect time for the club.
This playoff run marks the first time Inter Miami has advanced this far. South Florida’s MLS predecessor, the now-defunct Miami Fusion, reached the league semifinals in its final season in 2001, but this is new ground for Inter Miami.
Last year, in Messi’s first full season with the club, Inter Miami lost a Game 3 of Round 1 at home to Atlanta, despite entering as Supporters’ Shield winners. This time, Messi ensured a different outcome.
With four Nashville defenders surrounding him, Messi scored from the top of the 18-yard box in the 10th minute to give Miami a 1-0 lead. His second goal came just before halftime from nearly the same spot but much easier. Mateo Silvetti controlled a long pass, beat a Nashville defender, and drew the goalkeeper Joe Willis out. Silvetti then pushed the ball to Messi, who had an open net to finish in the 39th minute, extending the lead to 2-0.
“I would say the team played a near-perfect game, through the defense, midfield, and attack,” Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said.
Inter Miami’s record this season in MLS play when scoring at least two goals is an impressive 19-2-3, but Nashville made Miami earn this win.
Early in the second half, it appeared Nashville had cut the lead in half when Sam Surridge scored in the opening minute. However, the goal was ruled off due to a foul after Surridge’s foot got tangled with Inter Miami’s Maxi Falcon during the play.
The winner of the Inter Miami-Cincinnati match will face either top-seeded Philadelphia Union or fifth-seeded NYCFC in the Eastern Conference final.
The MLS Cup final is scheduled for Dec. 6, and should Philadelphia, Cincinnati, or Inter Miami reach the title game, they would host the championship match.
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AP Sports Writer Tim Reynolds contributed to this report.
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