Nashville SC vs. Inter Miami: Messi Misses 900th Goal in 0-0 Concacaf Champions Cup Draw
Lionel Messi came closest. He didn't finish. Nashville held the reigning MLS Cup champions scoreless Wednesday night at GEODIS Park — a 0-0 first-leg result that leaves the Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 tie completely open heading into the March 17 return leg at Inter Miami CF Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
How the Match Played Out
Nashville created the most dangerous chances of the night, forcing several key saves from goalkeeper Drake St. Clair throughout the match. Sam Surridge — who scored 24 goals in MLS last season and has already netted four times in 2026 — was repeatedly denied. St. Clair kept Inter Miami level almost singlehandedly.
Messi had Inter Miami's clearest chance after a pass from Rodrigo De Paul, but Nashville goalkeeper Elliot Schwake made the save. The rebound from Germán Berterame went wide. Goal No. 900 of Messi's career will have to wait. Luis Suárez didn't see the field despite coach Javier Mascherano confirming the striker was fit and available.
In the second half, both sides increased the intensity and searched for the opening goal — Nashville through quick counters and set pieces, Inter Miami through Messi-led combination play. Neither found the net.
The History Between These Sides
This is a rivalry with genuine depth. This marks the 20th matchup between the two clubs — Nashville's most frequent opponent across all competitions, having met in MLS regular season, Concacaf Champions Cup, Leagues Cup, the U.S. Open Cup, and the MLS Playoffs.
Inter Miami beat Nashville 5-3 on aggregate in the Round of 16 of the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup — the first time these clubs met in this competition. Geodis Park is also where Messi won his first trophy with Inter Miami — the 2023 Leagues Cup — giving Nashville's home a complicated emotional charge for both fanbases.
Nashville's Form Makes This Dangerous for Miami
Nashville earned their spot in the Round of 16 by thrashing Atlético Ottawa 7-0 on aggregate in Round One. In 2026 MLS play, they've recorded two wins and a draw in their opening matches — sitting second in the Eastern Conference. This is not the Nashville Inter Miami bulldozed two years ago.
Inter Miami, meanwhile, arrive as defending MLS Cup champions — having beaten Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the Cup final — and have won consecutive MLS road games, 2-4 over Orlando City and 1-2 over D.C. United, coming into tonight.
What the 0-0 Means for the Second Leg
Everything is still alive. The return leg is Tuesday, March 17 at 7:00 p.m. ET at Inter Miami CF Stadium in Fort Lauderdale — the first competitive match at the club's new Miami Freedom Park, which officially opens April 4. An aggregate winner advances to the quarterfinals, where they would face the winner of Club América vs. Philadelphia Union.
Nashville will travel to Florida having proven they can neutralize Messi for a full 90 minutes. Inter Miami will play the second leg at home — where Messi's influence in front of a partisan crowd historically elevates. A single goal in either direction changes everything.
Where to watch the second leg: FS2 and TUDN in the United States, ConcacafGO streaming globally. March 17, 7:00 p.m. ET.
