Nashville SC produced one of their biggest wins of the MLS season on Saturday night, beating Inter Miami CF 4-1 in a clash between the league’s top two teams. Hany Mukhtar scored twice after the break, while Andy Najar and Sam Surridge were also on target as Nashville tightened their grip on first place. For Miami, it was a night to forget. Their seven-game unbeaten run came to an abrupt end, with Lionel Messi unable to inspire a comeback. The Argentine also missed a first-half penalty, saved by Nashville goalkeeper Brian Schwake, before the hosts took complete control after the interval.
🚨 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: Messi INSULTS the referee after his embarrassing 4-1 loss!
Sore loser. 🇦🇷📉pic.twitter.com/UgjxsqjBYm
— 𝐓𝐌 𝐅Ú𝐓𝐁𝐎𝐋 (@TMfutbal) August 16, 2026
Hany Mukhtar Leads Nashville SC to Statement Win
Telasco Segovia scored his third goal for Miami (11-3-5, 38 points), which suffered its first loss since May 2. Miami had gone seven consecutive matches without a loss before Saturday. The four goals allowed were tied for the club’s most this season.
Nashville grabbed a 2-1 lead four minutes into the second half when Saad found Mukhtar in the box, who scored his seventh goal of the year on a left-footed shot from the left side of the box.
The margin doubled in the 56th minute. Cristian Espinoza assisted Surridge, who scored his team-leading 12th goal of the season. The floodgates opened in the 63rd minute, as Schwake launched a goal kick to Mukhtar. Miami goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo slipped, allowing Mukhtar to score an easy goal, making it 4-1.
Lionel Messi Misses Penalty as Miami Collapse
Nashville recorded the game’s first four shots on goal before finally scoring in the 17th minute. Saad sent a perfect cross to Najar, who headed in his first goal of the season.
Miami had an opportunity to knot the score six minutes later, when Maxwell Woledzi’s foul on Luis Suarez led to Lionel Messi’s penalty kick. Messi’s attempt was saved by Schwake, preserving Nashville’s 1-0 lead.
The visitors did pull even in the third minute of first-half stoppage time. In a crowded box, Segovia maneuvered past multiple defenders and fired in the game-tying goal past Schwake.
Nashville outshot Miami 12-2 in the first half, with a 5-2 advantage in shots on goal.
(With inputs from Reuters)
