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Nashville 2-2 Inter Miami: Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez Deliver Away Goals in CONCACAF Champions Cup Comeback

Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez both scored on their CONCACAF Champions Cup debuts as Inter Miami battled back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at Nashville.

Robert Summerscales

Nashville 2-2 Inter Miami: Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez Deliver Away Goals in CONCACAF Champions Cup Comeback
Nashville 2-2 Inter Miami: Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez Deliver Away Goals in CONCACAF Champions Cup Comeback /

Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez both scored on their CONCACAF Champions Cup debuts as Inter Miami battled back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at Nashville in the first leg of their round of 16 contest on Thursday.

Jacob Shaffelburg had earlier netted twice for Nashville in what was a replay of last season's Leagues Cup final.

Miami will go into next Wednesday's second leg with an advantage as the away goals rule is in operation in this season's Champions Cup.

Luis Suarez pictured celebrating after scoring a late equalizing goal for Inter Miami in a 2-2 draw at Nashville in March 2024
Luis Suarez pictured celebrating after scoring a late equalizing goal for Inter Miami in a 2-2 draw at Nashville on Thursday :: IMAGO/Agencia-MexSport/Jose Luis Melgarejo

Nashville took the lead just four minutes into Thursday's first leg when Shaffelburg found the net with a powerful left-footed finish.

Messi came close to equalizing on two occasions before half time. He placed a shot just wide from 17 yards before being thwarted by Nashville keeper Joe Willis following a slick solo run.

But it was 2-0 to Nashville 58 seconds into the second half thanks to a stunning strike by Shaffelburg.

Messi started the Miami comeback five minutes later when he beat Willis with a dipping shot from 20 yards after being teed up by Suarez.

Diego Gomez thought he had equalized moments later but his celebrations were cut short by an offside flag.

There was a worrying incident in the 77th minute that resulted in Messi requiring medical attention after Lukas MacNaughton, seemingly unintentionally, planted his studs into the Miami captain's left leg.

Messi was eventually able to continue, while MacNaughton escaped without punishment after receiving the all-clear from the video assistant referee.

Lionel Messi pictured holding his left shin during Inter Miami's 2-2 draw at Nashville in March 2024
Lionel Messi pictured holding his left shin during the second half :: IMAGO/Agencia-MexSport/Jose Luis Melgarejo

The VAR was called into action again on 83 minutes when Shaq Moore had a goal disallowed for a tight offside call.

Suarez then leveled the tie in the fifth minute of added time when he headed home from close range following a cross by Sergio Busquets.

Miami have now gone four games without defeat this season, having started their 2024 Major League Soccer campaign with seven points against Real Salt Lake (2-0), Orlando City (5-0) and LA Galaxy (1-1).

Messi has scored four goals in four games, while Suarez has netted three times.

Highlights: Nashville 2-2 Inter Miami

Published
Robert Summerscales
ROBERT SUMMERSCALES

Robert Summerscales launched FanNation Futbol in February 2022. Rob is a British journalist who previously spent two years on the sports desk at the Daily Mail in London, having earlier served as editor of CaughtOffside.com. He has been to the last two FIFA Men's World Cups, in Russia and Qatar, and is looking forward to completing his hat-trick in North America in 2026.