Lionel Messi held scoreless as Inter Miami and Nashville play to 0-0 stalemate in CONCACAF Champions Cup

For the second consecutive matchup, Lionel Messi was denied by Nashville SC as Inter Miami and the visitors battled to a scoreless draw in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16. 

The return leg on March 18 at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale will decide which squad advances to the quarterfinals.

Messi entered the game on the back of a remarkable streak against Nashville, having scored in six straight encounters since April 20, 2024, producing 12 goals and five assists. 

Yet, the veteran superstar was held without a point for only the second time in four games, following a scoreless outing in Inter Miami’s 3-0 loss to Los Angeles FC on February 21.

The Argentine superstar had a chance in the 55th minute, racing down the left flank and firing a shot that was expertly denied by Nashville goalkeeper Bruan Schwake. 

Messi finished the match with one shot on target—his lowest in a single game since November 29, when he had no shots on goal but assisted in Miami’s 5-1 MLS Cup Eastern Conference final win over New York City FC. He also completed 79% of his passes.

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Watch: Lionel Messi comes so close to scoring, but Nashville’s GK makes the save… and what was that from Berterame?

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— Inter Miami News Hub (@Intermiamicfhub) March 12, 2026

Despite Messi’s quiet night, Inter Miami dominated possession, controlling 59% of the ball, though Nashville pushed the pace with 15 total shots compared to Miami’s eight, four of which were on target. 

Nashville’s best opportunity came in the 65th minute from a corner delivered by Cristian Espinoza, finding Reed Baker-Whiting inside the box, but his header sailed just over the crossbar.

The second leg promises tension, as the winner of the series will face either Club America or Philadelphia Union in the quarterfinals. 

Advancement is determined on aggregate goals over two matches, with extra time and penalty kicks ready to decide the series if the tie remains scoreless in the return leg at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

While the scoreboard showed no goals, Messi’s presence continued to shape the game, stretching Nashville’s defense and creating openings, even if the ball wouldn’t find the net. 

As both teams regroup for the decisive leg, the stakes are high, and Miami will look to their talisman to finally break the deadlock and secure a path to the quarterfinals.

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