Miami, Sep 13 (V7N)- Lionel Messi found the net, but Inter Miami were denied victory after conceding a late equalizer in a 2-2 draw against Nashville SC on Sunday.
The two teams met at Inter Miami’s home ground, the Nu Stadium, with Miami looking to revive their poor recent form. The hosts had won only one of their previous eight matches before the encounter.
Nashville made a fast start, taking the lead just four minutes into the match. Sam Surridge broke through the Miami defense and fired a direct shot into the net to put the visitors ahead.
After taking the lead, Nashville dropped deeper and focused on defending their advantage. Miami took control of possession and began creating pressure around the visitors’ penalty area.
Their efforts paid off in the 19th minute when a corner delivered by Messi caused confusion inside the Nashville box. Reed Baker-Whiting inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, bringing Miami level.
Miami increased the pressure after the break and created several opportunities, but some efforts went wide while others were denied by the Nashville goalkeeper.
The hosts eventually took the lead when Messi combined brilliantly with Rodrigo de Paul before unleashing a long-range effort into the corner of the Nashville net.
However, Nashville refused to give up. In the final minute of regulation time, Surridge scored his second goal of the match after connecting with a cross from Shakur Mohammed to make it 2-2.
Miami had one final opportunity to snatch all three points. De Paul’s effort, however, struck the post and bounced away.
The draw means Inter Miami failed to close the gap on Eastern Conference leaders Nashville and remain under pressure following their continued poor run of form.
Inter Miami will next face Cruz Azul in the Campeones Cup on September 16.
END/SMA/AJ
