NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Lionel Messi was held scoreless as Inter Miami and Nashville SC held each other to a goalless draw in the first game of the CONCACAF Champions League last 16 on Wednesday night.
The two teams will meet again on March 18 at Chase Field in Fort Lauderdale to determine which team advances to the quarterfinals.
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Since April 20, 2024, Messi has scored in six consecutive games against Nashville, during which he scored 12 goals and provided 5 assists. Messi was held scoreless for the second time in four games after scoring in a 3-0 loss to Los Angeles FC on February 21.
Messi has a chance to shoot, and his pass success rate is as high as 79%. His chance to score came in the 55th minute when he went straight to the goal from the left and his shot was saved by Nashville goalkeeper Bruan Schwark.
Messi’s shot was his lowest total in a game since the MLS Cup Eastern Conference final against New York City FC on November 29. In that game, he did not have a shot but had an assist, helping Inter Miami win 5-1.
Inter Miami dominated possession, with a possession rate of 59%. Nashville took 15 shots in the game compared to the Heat’s eight, four of which were on target.
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Nashville’s best chance came from Christian Espinosa’s corner kick in the 65th minute. His throw-in found Reid Baker-Whiting in the box. However, Baker-Whiting’s header went over the crossbar.
Inter Miami’s Maximiliano Falcon left the field injured in the 7th minute. Gonzalo Luján took his place.
The winner of the Nashville-Miami series will face Club America or the Philadelphia Union in the quarterfinals. Club America defeated Philadelphia 1-0 on Wednesday in Chester, Pennsylvania. The knockout rounds will take place on March 18 at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
Promotion to the CONCACAF Champions League is based on total goals scored, with the team that scores the most goals in two games qualifying. If Nashville and Miami do not score within 90 minutes of their next game, the two teams will enter overtime and then a penalty shootout.
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