Inter Miami experienced one of the darkest episodes in its short history on Wednesday, after being eliminated in front of its home fans in the round of 16 of the Concachampions, after a 1-1 draw with Nashville.
The Lionel Messi-led Pharaonic project, whose main objective this year was to touch continental glory, was unable to win either of its two matches in the tournament, and a 0-0 draw in Nashville ruled it out of the tournament on the away goal rule.
Not even Messi’s 900th goal prevented collapse
It was to no avail when Messi opened the scoring in the 7th minute with the 900th goal of his professional career.
His compatriot Cristian Espinosa cancelled it out with another goal, of lesser beauty but equal value, leaving Inter Miami with just 15 minutes left in which to seek a miracle in the Concachampions.
But the level shown by Las Garzas so far this season is far from what they showed in the past MLS playoffs, when they were proclaimed champions of the MLS Cup.
Messi’s goal ended their hunger for more goals, and Espinosa’s goal sent them to the canvas, without them being able to respond.
After the Argentine star’s goal, Inter Miami relied on defensive reliability and a clean sheet.
As if they were oblivious to the problems they have been dragging behind them in recent years, and that only made up for an attack far above the rest in North America.
Nashville sentences the game
Aside from a chance for Tadeo Allende, who tried to poke the ball over the keeper in a one-on-one situation, but the keeper made a great save, the Miami team did not generate any danger after the 1-0 lead.
Nashville, on the other hand, remained calm despite the adverse result.
Knowing that a goal was enough to advance to the quarterfinals, and grew as the minutes passed.
First he threatened with an unbelievable one-on-one miss by Hany Mukhtar, who sent the ball into the stands.
Shortly thereafter, Espinosa changed the course of the match.
The stands of Miami’s Chase Stadium were silent as the game served as a farewell to the stadium, prior to the opening of Nu Stadium.
Neither Messi nor Suárez avoid elimination
And although there were murmurs every time Messi received the ball, as if the crowd was waiting for a miracle, it never came.
Javier Mascherano also brought on Luis Suárez, but Inter Miami left the Concachampions with the feeling that they had got carried away.
It was Inter Miami’s earliest elimination from the tournament in its third consecutive appearance.
This follows byes in the quarterfinals in 2024 and in the semifinals last year.
As if that were not enough, Spanish full-back Sergio Reguilón had to be substituted in the 40th minute due to physical discomfort.
Nashville will face America in the quarterfinals.
They failed to win either of the two matches
QuéOnnda.com
Technical data
Inter Miami: Dayne St.Clair; Facundo Mura (Luis Suárez, m.78), Gonzalo Luján, Micael, Sergio Reguilón (Noah Allen, m.40); Rodrigo De Paul, Yannick Bright (David Ayala, m.78); Tadeo Allende, Lionel Messi, Telasco Segovia (Mateo Silvetti, m.61); Germán Berterame.
Coach: Javier Mascherano.
1. Nashville SC: Brian Schwake; Andy Najar (Josh Bauer, m.85), Jeisson Palacios, Maxwell Woledzi, Daniel Lovitz (Reed Baker-Whiting, m.58); Patrick Yazbek, Matthew Corcoran (Edvard Tagseth, m.71); Cristian Espinoza, Hany Mukhtar (Bryan Acosta, m.85), Warren Madrigal (Alex Muyl, m.58); Sam Surridge
Coach: Brian Callaghan.
Goals: 1-0, minute 7: Lionel Messi. 1-1, 74th minute: Cristian Espinosa.
Referee: Adonai Escobedo, of Mexico. Yellow cards for Gonzalo Luján, Inter Miami.
Incidents: Concachampions round of 16 match between Inter Miami and Nashville played at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
With information from EFE
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