Lionel Messi fails to convert spot kick as Nashville rout Inter Miami 4-1 in dominating MLS performance

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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – AUGUST 15: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF reacts after the first goal of Nashville SC scored by Andy Najar #31 (not in frame) during the MLS match between Nashville SC v Inter Miami CF at GEODIS Park on August 15, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. Carly Mackler/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Carly Mackler / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

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Lionel Messi missed yet another penalty and was booked as Inter Miami suffered a 4-1 loss at Nashville on Saturday in a top-of-the-table MLS clash.

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England’s Sam Surridge and Germany’s Hany Mukhtar scored second-half goals for the hosts in a showdown between the Major League Soccer overall leaders.

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Argentina and Miami captain Messi was denied from the penalty spot in the first half and issued a yellow card in the 59th minute but also assisted Inter’s lone goal.

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Messi struck both posts in second-half stoppage time.

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Nashville leads MLS with 43 points and a record of 13-2 with four drawn while Inter Miami are second on 38 points.

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Nashville had already knocked Miami out of this year’s CONCACAF Champions Cup in the round of 16.

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Defending MLS champion Miami, which had been a league-best 8-1-1 on the road, saw a seven-match undefeated MLS run snapped as Nashville remained unbeaten at home in the MLS campaign.

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Honduran defender Andy Najar scored with a header in the 17th minute to give Nashville a 1-0 lead.

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Miami had a chance to equalize with a Messi penalty kick in the 23rd minute but Nashville goalkeeper Brian Schwake saved his weak effort.

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Messi’s record from the penalty spot is poor by his sky-high standards, including missing twice at the World Cup.

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The visitors netted the equalizer three minutes into first-half stoppage time when Venezuelan Telasco Segovia blasted in a right-footed shot off an assist by Messi.

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Mukhtar, the 2022 MLS Most Valuable Player, put Nashville back in front in the 49th minute.

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Surridge gave Nashville a 3-1 lead and Mukhtar added his second in the 63rd for extra insurance as the hosts pulled away.

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AFP

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