Inter Miami defeated Nashville in a penalty shootout, 10-9, as Lionel Messi displayed his prowess with a spectacular shot to win his first championship in North American soccer.
The thrilling match had earlier been tied at one goal after the allotted 90 minutes. Miami took the lead in the 24th minute thanks to a spectacular shot from the famed Argentine, a World Cup champion, which energised the game.
Fafa Picault, however, was able to give Nashville an equalizer in the second half. Leonardo Campana had one final chance as it was full-time to give Miami the victory in regulation.
Nevertheless, the game went into a shootout with the score still tied at 1-1. This penalty shootout turned into a fierce struggle between the goalies, which was ultimately won by Miami’s Drake Callender stopping Elliot Panicco’s shot with a crucial save.
When Messi joined Miami a month ago, they were at the bottom of Major League Soccer’s standings in their third season of existence. Since then, though, they have gone on an undefeated streak and won the League Cup.
The seven-time winner of the Ballon d’Or has now scored 10 goals in seven games for his new squad, and on Wednesday, when his team plays Cincinnati in the US Open Cup semifinal, he has a chance to reach another final.