Messi hits 900 — Miami out
Lionel Messi scored career goal No. 900 but Inter Miami were eliminated from the Concacaf Champions Cup after a 1–1 draw with Nashville; Nashville advanced on away goals after Cristian Espinoza’s critical equalizer. MLS Matchday 5 rolls on with high‑profile broadcasts on FOX and Apple TV and rumors that clubs are pursuing another Champions League icon for big MLS signings. (theguardian.com) (mlssoccer.com) (si.com)
Lionel Messi’s opener arrived in the 7th minute after a Sergio Reguilón cut‑back; Messi slotted a low shot inside the far post to give Miami the early lead. (mlssoccer.com) Cristian Espinoza smashed home the equaliser in the 74th minute following a scramble in front of Dayne St. Clair, and with the first leg having finished 0‑0 Nashville advanced on away goals after the 1‑1 aggregate. (espn.com) Nashville nearly took the lead earlier when Hany Mukhtar put a 67th‑minute breakaway chance over the net, and late in stoppage time Messi’s long effort was blocked by Patrick Yazbek as Miami chased a winner. (mlssoccer.com) Inter Miami dominated possession and territory — the club’s official recap shows roughly 60% possession and 10 shots for Miami to Nashville’s five — but the Herons failed to turn control into the goals needed to progress. (intermiamicf.com) Nashville’s advance sends them into the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals, where they will meet either Club América or the Philadelphia Union. (mlssoccer.com) The milestone reached by Messi on the night also made him only the second man in history to reach 900 official career goals, joining Cristiano Ronaldo in that distinction. (espn.com)
