After the final whistle at Chase Stadium in South Florida Saturday night, Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates gathered for an on-field photo. The mood was good, and the group was all smiles after thrashing Nashville SC, 4-0, and advancing to MLS’s Eastern Conference semifinals.

Messi led the way, scoring the first two goals and assisting the second two. Over the three-match series, Messi had a hand in each of Miami’s eight goals (five goals, three assists). But it wasn’t just the scoring that impressed Miami coach Javier Mascherano.

“I want to congratulate Leo for the game he played,” Mascherano said after the game. “Leo was the first who guided us on that high pressure. Seeing him press like he pressed today, at 38 years of age, it’s something crazy. I think that, the thing with Leo on the ball we all know. Leo off the ball today was impressive.”

Advancing to the conference semifinal, even for the first time, is not Miami’s goal. Far from it. It’s MLS Cup or bust for the league’s biggest-spending club. Still, the first round served as a convincing start to the playoff run, particularly after Miami was upset by Atlanta United at this same stage last season.

The win also keeps legends Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba — the latter constantly created danger down Miami’s left flank and set up the third goal — playing for at least one more game. Both previously announced they will retire at the end of the season. Mascherano acknowledged the impending retirements, deferred only by winning, cross the club’s collective mind but aren’t spoken of much.

“It’s clear that we know, I think subconsciously,” Mascherano said. “Nobody says it. Nobody comments on it. But we know that now that we’ve entered the playoffs, it’s like the flame is beginning to extinguish, no?

“Look, if there is something that I have to say about these last few weeks, it’s the joy in which we are living the day to day. The thing that fills me with (the) most pride about the team is how we have arrived at this stretch of the season. … In training, I see the players having fun, I see a lot of smiles, I see a very good atmosphere. And I think that is the best way to face things.”

Miami jumped out to a quick lead Saturday, with a defensive action creating the first goal. Messi picked up an errant back pass and went on a solo run with Nashville backtracking.

GOL DEL 🔟 A 🔟 DEL ARRANQUE 🔥 pic.twitter.com/6vTzce9TcE

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) November 9, 2025

It was a quick reminder that the attack looked a bit different than normal due to the suspension of Luis Suárez. Messi played as a central focal point, albeit with his typical freedom to drift where he likes, but Tadeo Allende and Mateo Silvetti often operated as wide forwards running beyond Messi. That combination worked quite well.

Allende had two goals and an assist, while Silvetti set up Messi for a finish into a vacated net. The attacking trio flowed well together and now gives Mascherano a big decision to make in the next round, with Suárez available for selection again.

Messi 🤝 Silvetti 🤩 VAMOSSSS pic.twitter.com/hmuoDi0cVx

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) November 9, 2025

ALLENDEEEEE 🔥 pic.twitter.com/WC0RK4EzAT

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) November 9, 2025

TADEO X2. VAMOSSSS 🤩 pic.twitter.com/XiGIMH8ZIp

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) November 9, 2025

“The pressure from Miami was really good, we didn’t exploit the space in behind,” Nashville head coach B.J. Callaghan said. “We were stuck in our end a little bit, we couldn’t turn them around or get out of pressure. We tried to make adjustments in the second half, and until the third goal, there was a positive response by the group.”

What awaits Miami in the next round is a heavyweight clash against FC Cincinnati on the road. The two clubs finished level on points (65), but Cincy owned the tiebreaker (most wins), meaning this single-elimination match is in Ohio instead of Florida.

Cincinnati will also advance after coming from behind to beat the rival Columbus Crew earlier on Saturday, 2-1, on a pair of Brenner goals.

“(It’s) a match with great difficulty,” Mascherano said. “If there is a team that has it clear how they play, it’s Cincinnati. … Surely what we will live over there is a match with a lot of intensity. The things they do, they have very clear what they do, and they can cause you a lot of damage. And us, to be able to compete against them, we will have to match that intensity. We are a team that, when we tend to match intensity with the rival, then with the ball, everything becomes easier for us.”

Miami failed to beat Cincinnati in either of their two matches this year, which included Cincy delivering a 3-0 win at TQL Stadium in July. Messi, Suárez, Busquets, Alba and other key starters all played that day, though the club has made important changes since then. Rodrigo De Paul arrived this summer, as did Silvetti, while Rocco Rios Novo won the starting goalkeeper job and Ian Fray emerged as first-choice right back.

Regardless, amid one final run of the first iteration of the Messi era in Miami, the club is one step closer to lifting the trophy it wants most: MLS Cup.