Inter Miami CF 4–0 Nashville SC: Messi and Allende Lead Miami to a Dominant Victory in Fort Lauderdale

Alonso Contreras
3 hours ago
3 min read

By Alonso Contreras

Fort Lauderdale, FL — November 12, 2025. Inter Miami CF delivered one of their most complete performances of the season, routing Nashville SC 4–0 at Chase Stadium in a match that perfectly blended flair, control, and ruthless efficiency. Lionel Messi shone once again, scoring twice and assisting another, while new Argentine winger Tadeo Allende produced a breakout performance with a late brace that sealed the rout.

First Half: Messi Magic and Miami’s Control

Inter Miami came out aggressively, dictating tempo from the first minute with Busquets anchoring the midfield and De Paul adding bite and creativity. The early exchanges were scrappy, with Nashville attempting to press high through Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge, but Miami’s technical superiority quickly showed.

In the 10th minute, the breakthrough came through a moment of brilliance. Tadeo Allende slipped a short pass into Lionel Messi, who took one touch, looked up, and fired a precise left-footed strike into the bottom right corner from outside the box — a vintage Messi finish with an xG of just 7%. The stadium erupted as Miami took a 1–0 lead and never looked back.

Nashville tried to respond through Mukhtar’s set pieces, earning several free kicks and corners, but Rocco Ríos Novo and the Miami back line, led by Maximiliano Falcón and Noah Allen, held firm.

At the 39th minute, Miami doubled their advantage. Messi again was at the heart of the move, combining with Mateo Silvetti and Jordi Alba, who fed the ball back centrally. From just outside the box, Messi unleashed a driven shot that flew past Nashville’s keeper into the bottom corner, his second goal of the night, giving Inter Miami a commanding 2–0 halftime lead.

By the break, the difference in class was obvious: Miami’s ball movement was crisp, their press compact, and Nashville looked rattled, already forced into multiple changes.

Second Half: Allende’s Moment and Miami’s Show of Depth

Nashville made wholesale substitutions at halftime, introducing Shaffelburg, Lovitz, and Brugman in search of energy and creativity. They managed a few half-chances early, including attempts by Surridge and Zimmerman, but Ríos Novo remained sharp, producing several low saves to preserve his clean sheet.

Miami absorbed the pressure calmly. With Messi dropping deeper to orchestrate, and Busquets dictating rhythm, Miami turned defensive poise into attacking precision. The introduction of Telasco Segovia and Yannick Bright gave Miami renewed legs, and the team soon turned dominance into demolition.

In the 73rd minute, the move of the match arrived. Jordi Alba made a surging overlap down the left, squared the ball across goal where Messi cleverly let it run before Allende arrived at the right moment to slot home from close range, his first goal of the night, making it 3–0. The combination play between Messi, Alba, and Allende showed pure chemistry and fluidity.

Only three minutes later, Allende struck again. In the 76th minute, Messi fed him from the right flank, and the Argentine winger took one touch before curling a precise right-footed effort from outside the box into the middle left of goal (xG 9%). It was a stunning finish that sent the crowd into a frenzy 4–0, and game over.

Closing Minutes: Control, Frustration, and Flares of Emotion

As the match wound down, Nashville’s frustration became clear. Lovitz and Bunbury both saw yellow cards for reckless challenges, and even Messi was booked in the 77th minute after a minor altercation a rare flash of irritation in an otherwise composed performance.

Miami, now cruising, managed possession expertly in the final ten minutes. Nashville did manage two late long-range efforts Tyler Boyd forcing a save in the 90th minute and Shaffelburg missing narrowly at 90+8 but there was never any real threat of a comeback.

Final Whistle: Statement Win for the Herons

When the referee blew for full time, the scoreboard told the story: Inter Miami CF 4, Nashville SC 0. Messi was once again the conductor 2 goals, 2 assists, dictating the game at will. Allende’s brace marked his best performance in pink, while Jordi Alba and Busquets proved age has done nothing to dull their influence.

Defensively, Miami were disciplined, with Ríos Novo keeping a clean sheet and Falcón commanding in the air. For Nashville, it was a humbling night outclassed in midfield, static in attack, and unable to contain Miami’s movement or precision.