Messi opens the scoring with a stunning left‑footed strike from outside the box, curling the ball into the top left corner to put Inter Miami 1–0 ahead. The Nashville defense backs off just enough for him to pick his spot and punish them from distance.

Messi takes on a direct free kick from outside the box, but his left‑footed effort sails high and wide to the left, missing the target. It’s a rare miscue from a dangerous position as Nashville’s wall and keeper are left untested.

Messi again threatens from range with a left‑footed shot from outside the box that beats the keeper but crashes off the right post and stays out, after a setup from Sergio Busquets. The near‑goal leaves Nashville hanging on as Inter Miami almost doubles their lead.

In the shootout phase, Messi calmly converts from the spot with a left‑footed penalty drilled low to the bottom right corner, keeping Inter Miami alive. The Nashville goalkeeper guesses but cannot reach the precise effort.