Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) reacts after a play against Nashville SC in the second half of their MLS match at Nu Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in Miami, Fla.
Photo by Matias J. Ocner
mocner@miamiherald.com
The top two teams in the Eastern Conference clashed Saturday night at Nu Stadium as second place Inter Miami, stuck in a rut, tried to gain ground on leader Nashville SC.
Lionel Messi and his teammates were winless in three tries against Nashville this year, had won just one of their previous eight games over the past several weeks, and were determined to dominate at home, energized by a sea of No. 10 jerseys and the familiar sound of La Familia’s drumbeats and never-ending songs.
Instead, their frustrations continued as they had to settle for a 2-2 tie, Miami’s third draw in row.
Messi’s golazo for the go-ahead goal early in the second half appeared to be the game-winner as the clock wound down, but Sam Surridge, who had scored the opening goal in the fourth minute, struck again in stoppage time for the equalizer to complete his brace and spoil the night for Inter Miami and its fans.
With the tie, Nashville maintains its nine-point lead atop the Eastern Conference and in the Supporters’ Shield race with nine games remaining in the regular season.
Messi came close to extending Miami’s lead twice in the second half, but Nashville goalkeeper Brian Schwake saved one onto the post and then a headed clearance by Nashville defender Jeisson Palacios denied the other shot. Rodrigo De Paul also had a golden opportunity to be the hero, but his shot in the 94th minute hit the left post.
Inter Miami trudged off the field and its fans headed to the parking lots gutted.
Instead of closing the gap with Nashville, Inter Miami is stuck in a slump with just one win in the past nine games and four winless contests against a Nashville team that has been impossible for Miami to conquer. The sparkling new Nu Stadium, built to be a fortress for Messi’s team, has not been. Miami has won only four of its 12 games in the new building.
Messi, who hit the post twice on Saturday, was visibly frustrated and dejected after the final whistle, as was De Paul.
“We allowed a goal early, which put us at a disadvantage, but we fought hard to get back into the game, took control, we scored two goals to make up the difference, but sadly we were unable to stop the last shot and wound up with a tie,” said defender Facundo Mura. “The tough part is feeling we were superior and the last play took away three points. But we fought to get the ball and get into scoring situations.”
Things started out rocky, as Miami gave up a Surridge goal in the fourth minute to fall behind while many fans were still getting to their seats. Surridge raced past Miami’s back line, which was slow to respond to the counterattack. He received the assist from Andy Najar and knocked in a low angled shot for his 14th goal of the season.
Miami evened the score at the 19-minute mark and fans were able to relax a bit when a corner kick from Messi deflected into the net by Nashville’s Reed Baker-Whiting for an own goal.
The game remained tied 1-1 at halftime.
Messi had a chance to give Miami the lead five minutes into the second half after Yannick Bright broke up a Nashville run and the ball made its way from Casemiro to Messi, who launched a left-footed shot that clanked off the crossbar. German Berterame then took a shot off the rebound from the center of the box and is sailed high.
Messi shook his head in disbelief. Two excellent Miami scoring chances, but nothing to show for it.
The Argentine legend, who was held scoreless the previous two games, had another opportunity in the 59th minute, but that one flew over the crossbar. Finally, on his third attempt of the second half, Messi delivered to go-ahead goal on a left-footed golazo from 20 yards out to the bottom left corner as Schwake was rendered helpless.
Messi got a huge hug from Rodrigo De Paul, who got the assist, and one by one the rest of the Miami players joined the group celebration as their 39-year-old captain took over the MLS Golden Boot race with his 19th goal of the season.
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against Nashville SC in the second half of their MLS match at Nu Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in Miami, Fla. Photo by Matias J. Ocner mocner@miamiherald.com
Interim Inter Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos, still in charge of the team until new coach Kily Gonzalez gets his work permit, insisted the team’s spirits are “excellent” despite the recent stretch of results.
“When you lose or tie a game, everyone focuses on the negative, but I don’t live that way,” Hoyos said. “I focus on the evolution of the team, and that comes from the heart and from feelings. We have fantastic players.”
Dayne St. Clair started in goal. The back line was Ian Fray, Casemiro, Maxi Falcon and Caicedo. Telasco Segovia, Yannick Bright, Rodrigo De Paul played in the midfield with Messi, German Berterame and Luis Suarez leading the attack.
The difference from the past two games, which ended in ties against Atlanta and Chicago, was that the bench had more depth. Gonzalo Lujan, Sergio Reguilon, and Micael returned from injuries and newly signed Matias Galarza was on the roster for the first time after arriving on loan from River Plate.
Galarza made his debut, entering the game in the 66th minute to replace Segovia, and got a yellow card in the 90th minute. Facundo Mura also went in at that time in place of Fray, who got injured.
“It all happened very fast, I’m happy with my debut,” Galarza said. “To be in a team with so many stars makes me happy; unfortunately, we couldn’t get the result. We have to correct our errors. My teammates received me very warmly. I feel privileged to be here to learn from these stars.”
Nashville SC forward Sam Surridge (9) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against Inter Miami in the first half of their MLS match at Nu Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in Miami, Fla. Photo by Matias J. Ocner mocner@miamiherald.com
Nashville has been the team to beat this season and is on pace to break Miami’s single-season points record (74). Inter Miami takes a mid-week break from MLS action with Wednesday’s Campeones Cup game against Mexican club Cruz Azul at Nu Stadium. The game pits the reigning MLS champion with the defending Mexican champion with a trophy and bragging rights at stake.
This story was originally published September 12, 2026 at 8:43 PM.
Miami Herald
Miami Herald sportswriter Michelle Kaufman has covered 14 Olympics, six World Cups, Wimbledon, U.S. Open, NCAA Basketball Tournaments, NBA Playoffs, Super Bowls and has been the soccer writer and University of Miami basketball beat writer for 25 years. She was born in Frederick, Md., and grew up in Miami.