On Thursday night, Luis Suárez scored a goal in stoppage time, while Lionel Messi scored after halftime to help Inter Miami tie Nashville 2-2 in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
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Both teams will face each other again on Wednesday night in Florida for the second leg of the home-and-home, total-goals series in the round of 16.
Nashville SC's Jacob Shaffelburg scored two goals, one in the first minute and the other in the first minute of the second half, to give his team a 2-0 lead. However, Messi scored his first CONCACAF goal in the 52nd minute to get Inter Miami on the board, and Suárez tied the match in the fifth minute of stoppage time with a header off a cross from his former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets. Nashville coach Gary Smith expressed his thoughts on facing Inter Miami and the talent the team has added.
it’s a completely different level of intelligence from the likes of Lionel Messi and Busquets and Suárez, Completely different level. And for the most part, I thought the guys did a wonderful job.
Lionel Messi Stars Again as Fans Were Left WOW
Last week, when the match was announced, many expected ticket prices to skyrocket, much like Messi's first visit to Nashville in August last year for the League Cup final. However, as of Thursday, tickets were still available, even though many fans were wearing pink Messi jerseys and chanting the name of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner repeatedly at GEODIS Park.
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There’s a slightly different edge and feel to the atmosphere when Messi’s in town. You know, he’s the show and an exceptional individual.
Messi had previously scored in regulation and also converted the first shot in penalty kicks, the last time these teams played here. However, on Thursday night, he had to be more patient. In the 13th minute, Messi missed a left-footed kick from the middle of the box as he tried to bend the ball just inside the left edge of the goal, but it went just wide left. He seemed surprised by the miss and wondered how he didn't score. Later, in the 37th minute, Nashville keeper Joe Willis stopped Messi's shot off his right foot from the box. Right before halftime in stoppage time, Messi had a chance to score from a free kick due to a foul, but his attempt went into Nashville's wall.
Finally, in the 52nd minute, Messi scored a goal and brought joy to his fans. Suárez found his former Barcelona teammate Messi just outside the box, and Messi used his left foot to squeeze the ball between Willis' outstretched right fingers and inside the left post, pulling Miami to 2-1.
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