- Lionel Messi scored twice and provided an assist in Inter Miami’s victory over Nashville
- Sergio Busquets scored his first goal in Miami when he headed in Messi’s corner kick
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Lionel Messi scored twice and provided an assist for Sergio Busquets as he dominated again in Inter Miami’s 3-1 win over Nashville on Saturday evening.
Messi, who picked up his second brace in MLS after also scoring twice against Orlando on March 2, now has a goal or assist in each of the six league matches he has played this season.
Busquets scored his first goal for Inter Miami since reuniting with his former Barcelona teammate Messi last summer.
Miami is now undefeated in five games against Nashville since Messi’s arrival and they also retained first place in the Eastern Conference.
But Tata Martino’s team made things difficult for themselves and conceded a goal in the opening minutes for the second week in a row.
Lionel Messi scored twice and provided an assist in Inter Miami’s 3-1 win over Nashville
Messi picked up his second brace in MLS after also scoring twice against Orlando on March 2
Messi gave Miami a two-goal cushion when he converted on a penalty in the 81st minute
Sergio Busquets scored the equalizer when he headed Messi’s corner via the near post
The Argentinian has a goal or assist in each of the six league games he has played this season
An own goal by Miami defenseman Franco Neri gave Nashville the lead. Neri, replacing the injured Jordi Alba, deflects Daniel Lovitz’s corner into Miami’s goal in the second minute.
Miami erased the early deficit with goals from Messi and Busquets in the 11th and 39th minutes.
Nashville goalkeeper Elliot Panicco deflected Messi’s shot from 12 yards to an open Luis Suarez, who immediately tapped it to Messi. With Panicco out of position, Messi converted a sliding shot inside the six-yard box for the equalizer.
Busquets then scored the equalizer when he headed Messi’s corner past Panicco and towards the near post.
Goalkeeper Drake Callender kept Miami ahead when he made a diving save to deny Hany Mukhtar’s long-range strike in the 55th minute.
Messi gave Miami a two-goal cushion when he converted on a penalty in the 81st minute.
Nashville’s Josh Bauer fouled Leo Alfonso on the edge of the penalty kick and Messi beat reserve goalkeeper Joe Willis inside the left post.
Miami visits New England next Saturday, while Nashville hosts San Jose.
