Messi Penalty Miss: Inter Miami Beaten 4-1 By Nashville SC In Heavy Defeat
Lionel Messi endured a night to forget as Inter Miami were thrashed 4-1 away to Eastern Conference leaders Nashville SC at Geodis Park on Saturday, August 15, 2026, with the Argentine superstar missing a crucial penalty and picking up a yellow card in a heavy defeat that dropped his side further off the pace at the top of the standings.
Nashville got off to a flying start, taking the lead in the 17th minute when Andy Najar rose to head home a teasing cross from Elias Saad. Miami were handed a route back into the match just five minutes later when Luis Suarez was brought down inside the box by Jeisson Palacios after being played through by Messi. The Argentine captain stepped up to take the resulting penalty himself but saw his low effort to the right comfortably parried away by Nashville goalkeeper Brian Schwake. Sergio Reguilon appeared to have scored from the rebound, only for the goal to be ruled out following a video review for encroachment.
It marked Messi’s third consecutive missed penalty for club and country, following two unsuccessful attempts for Argentina during the country’s run to the 2026 World Cup final, against Austria in the group stage and Egypt in the round of 16. According to ESPN Research, it was the first time since 2014 that Messi had failed to convert three straight penalty kicks, and his first miss from the spot in MLS since September 13, 2025.
Despite the setback, Inter Miami found an equaliser against the run of play three minutes into first-half stoppage time, with Venezuelan forward Telasco Segovia turning smartly away from his marker before poking the ball into the far corner from a Messi assist. The 1-1 scoreline at the break offered brief hope for the visitors, but Nashville took full control after the interval. Former MLS Most Valuable Player Hany Mukhtar restored the hosts’ lead in the 49th minute, before England international Sam Surridge added a third with a delicate back-heeled finish. Mukhtar then completed his brace in stoppage time, capitalising on a slip from Miami goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo to walk the ball into an empty net and wrap up a comprehensive 4-1 victory for Nashville.
Messi’s frustration boiled over during the second half, as he was shown a yellow card in the 59th minute for protesting a decision in the build-up to Nashville’s third goal. He continued to push for a personal moment throughout the contest, firing off 11 shots in total, nine more than any of his teammates, and hit both posts during second-half stoppage time before a follow-up effort was ruled out for offside.
The result marked Inter Miami’s third consecutive defeat in all competitions and represented Messi’s first start since the death of his father and long-time representative, Jorge Messi, days earlier. The defeat leaves Miami five points adrift of league-leading Nashville in the race for both the Eastern Conference summit and the Supporters’ Shield, with the Herons now shifting focus to a trip to face the Philadelphia Union in their next fixture on Wednesday.
About the Author
