Lionel Messi misses penalty as Nashville strengthens MLS lead with win over Inter Miami

Nashville strengthened its push for the Supporters’ Shield and extended its lead to 5 points over Inter Miami on a night Lionel Messi again failed to convert a penalty.

Andy Nájar, Hany Mukhtar (two) and Sam Surridge were on target in a 4-1 home win for Nashville, which regained control of the game after Inter Miami had pulled the score level just before halftime.

It was a significant win for Nashville, but Messi was central to the storyline as he made his first MLS start since the World Cup and since the death of his father, Jorge, at age 68.

Earlier this week, Messi acknowledged he was unsure whether he would continue playing “for much longer,” adding significance to his appearance in a game between the league’s top sides.

The day started with Nashville as No. 1 and Inter Miami as No. 2 in the Supporters’ Shield and Eastern Conference standings. Nashville was a slight favorite at kickoff, but Miami fielded a stellar starting lineup that included Sergio Reguilón, Casemiro, Rodrigo De Paul, Luis Suárez and Messi.

It was a difficult night for Messi, and his poor recent record from the penalty spot continued while Nashville produced a superb team performance to record a memorable win.

It’s a party in Nashville @NashvilleSC beats Miami 4-1 to keep the top spot in the Supporters’ Shield standings. pic.twitter.com/Bw9arBRqL7

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 16, 2026

Nashville deservedly took the lead through Nájar’s 17th-minute header, with Elias Saad producing a superb delivery to the far post.

Against the run of play, Miami was given a route back into the game when Suárez was brought down inside the area by Jeisson Palacios.

Messi missed two penalties at the World Cup for Argentina but stepped forward to take the spot kick in the 23rd minute.

He saw his latest effort saved by Brian Schwake as the goalkeeper dived to his right. It was an unconvincing kick from Messi, who opted for a slight pause in his run-up before directing the ball toward goal, allowing the Nashville goalkeeper to make a save.

Reguilón’s follow-up found the net, but his goal was ruled out for encroachment into the box.

In first-half stoppage time, Miami did get itself level — and Messi was the architect.

The penalty miss appeared to motivate him, and he produced the assist by dropping into a pocket of space before picking out Telasco Segovia with a lovely forward pass. Segovia produced a superb spin before firing into the far corner.

Messi had a shot saved at the beginning of the second half, but Palacios then sparked a move from one side of the pitch to the other as Nashville restored its lead in the 49th minute and seized control of the game.

Saad produced a superb short pass to find Mukhtar in the area, and he finished perfectly, firing across goal.

Nashville then moved two goals clear in the 56th minute when Cristian Espinoza sent a pass across toward the near post and Surridge converted nonchalantly with a beautiful heel flick.

Messi was left complaining about a foul he believed should have been awarded at the other end of the pitch in the buildup to the goal. He was shown a yellow card for his continued protests.

Thank you very much https://t.co/XQnlGRav8h pic.twitter.com/eMvq28Y3g1

— Nashville SC (@NashvilleSC) August 16, 2026

It was a difficult night for Miami, and its misery deepened when goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo made a mistake. He came racing out of goal, midway into his own half, in an attempt to clear the danger after a goal kick from Schwake was sent high into the Miami half.

The Miami goalkeeper misjudged the ball, and Mukhtar showed composure to slot home his second and Nashville’s fourth.

In the dying stages of the game, Messi hit each post in quick succession and then had a goal ruled out for offside before the full-time whistle sounded.