Messi continues his scoring streak against Nashville
Amman2 min read
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Argentine star Lionel Messi extended his incredible scoring streak against visitors Nashville, the leaders of Major League Soccer (MLS), on Saturday, but his team Inter Miami settled for a 2-2 draw in the top-of-the-table clash between the first and second-placed teams in the Eastern Conference.
Messi struck a brilliant curling shot in the 62nd minute at the "No Stadium," giving Inter Miami a 2-1 lead, but Nashville snatched a valuable point after English striker Sam Surridge scored the equalizer in the first minute of stoppage time.
Messi, 39, brought his tally to 17 goals in 14 matches against Nashville in all competitions since joining Miami in 2023.
Messi could have bolstered his scoring record, but his shot hit the underside of the crossbar in the 50th minute, and another attempt bounced off the post in the 78th minute.
Nashville defender Jack Maher also headed away a late chance for Messi before the equalizer scored by Surridge.
With this result, Inter Miami now trails Nashville by nine points in the race for the top spot, with nine matches remaining in the regular season.
Nashville started the match perfectly when Surridge exploited an offside trap before firing a low shot into the bottom corner of the net in the fourth minute to open the scoring.
However, Miami equalized midway through the first half, and Messi played a decisive role again when he delivered a curved, deceptive corner kick that Nashville defender Reed Baker-Whiting accidentally turned into his own net (19).
It seemed Messi had snatched the winning goal midway through the second half when he exchanged passes with his compatriot Rodrigo De Paul on the edge of the area, before firing a curling shot past goalkeeper Brian Schwaak. However, Miami's failure to extend their lead cost them dearly, as Surridge scored his second goal from close range, giving his team the equalizer (90+1).
