Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez were on target again for Inter Miami as the Herons edged out Nashville 3-1 in the return leg of CONCACAF Champions Cup round-16.
The first leg ended in a draw with Lionel Messi and Suarez scoring late to salvage a 2-2 draw at the death.
At the Chase Stadium, the Gerardo Martino-led team has a chance to edge out the 2023 Leagues Cup finalists. They needed victory to book their place in the last 8 – having shared spoils in the first leg.
Inter Miami got off the mark with a brilliant early performance that put the visitors to the sword. Luis Suarez recorded his fourth goal for the Florida-based outfit, scoring eight minutes into the game to give Inter Miami the lead, thanks to a great assist by Lionel Messi.
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In the 23rd minute, Inter Miami struck again to double the lead. Lionel Messi latched on an assist from Gomez to drill home the Heron’s second.
The two quick goals were enough to secure a 2-0 lead for Inter Miami in the break as Nashville failed to mount a response.
Three minutes after the hour-mark, Luis Suarez assisted Ryan Taylor for Inter Miami’s third to put the game beyond the visitors.
In the 83rd minute, Nashville came close to restoring comeback hopes as they finally found the back of the net but the goal was ruled out after a VAR review.
With the game far spent, Inter Miami were obviously cruising to victory with a commanding 3-0 lead, thanks to the telepathic understanding and deadly combination of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.
Three minutes into added, Nashville smashed home their consolation to reduce the defeat margin.
It ended 3-1 at the final whistle with Inter Miami winning 5-3 on aggregate to qualify for the last of the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Video Highlights
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