Messi reaches 900 goals milestone, Inter Miami exits CONCACAF Champions Cup

Football results - On the day Lionel Messi achieved his 900th goal, Inter Miami was halted by Nashville in the quarter-finals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

The match between Inter Miami and Nashville started with a fast pace and many exciting moments. In the 4th minute, Germán Berterame had a shot from inside the penalty area but was saved by goalkeeper Brian Schwake.

At minute 7, Inter Miami quickly opened the scoring when Lionel Messi received a pass from Sergio Reguilon and executed a precise left-footed shot from inside the penalty area, scoring a beautiful goal, giving the home team a 1-0 lead. Notably, this was also the 900th career goal for the Argentine superstar.

In the following minutes, Inter Miami created more opportunities. At minute 13, Messi continued to apply pressure, earning a free kick for his team, while Tadeo Allende and Facundo Mura repeatedly attempted long-range shots.

The match also had interruptions due to injuries. At minute 35, Sergio Regulon suffered an injury and had to leave the field, replaced by Noah Allen.

In the second half, both teams continuously created dangerous situations. De Paul received free kicks in the attacking area, while Mateo Silvetti attempted a long-range shot but was saved by goalkeeper Brian Schwake. Nashville also responded with shots from Hany Mukhtar, Alex Muyl, and Cristian Espinoza, but could not convert them into goals.

The visiting team continued to increase pressure towards Inter Miami's goal, and eventually they were rewarded.

At minute 74, after a hesitant defensive situation by the home team, Cristian Espinoza capitalized with a close-range finish into the bottom corner following a precise combination, bringing the match back to a draw.

After this goal, both teams continued to fiercely contest, creating many opportunities but no further goals were scored.

The match concluded with a 1-1 score, which was also the aggregate score after two matches (first leg draw 0-0). With the CONCACAF Champions Cup still adhering to the "away goal rule," Inter Miami officially had to stop. This is considered a bitter ending for Lionel Messi, especially on the day the Argentine superstar achieved a memorable milestone.

Match progression

74': Goal! Inter Miami CF 1, Nashville SC 1. Cristian Espinoza (Nashville SC) scores with a right-footed shot from very close range into the bottom left corner of the goal.

74': Shot blocked. Alex Muyl (Nashville SC) attempts a right-footed shot from inside the penalty area, blocked by Gonzalo Luján (Inter Miami CF) at the top corner of the goal. Assist by Cristian Espinoza.

67': Shot missed. Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC) attempts a right-footed shot from inside the penalty area, ball goes too high. Assist by Cristian Espinoza.

66': Shot missed. Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami CF) attempts a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area after a corner, ball goes wide to the right.

62':Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami CF) awarded a free kick in his own half.

57': Shot blocked. Germán Berterame (Inter Miami CF) heads from inside the penalty area but is saved by the goalkeeper.

49': Jeisson Palacios (Nashville SC) awarded a free kick in his own half.

Second half begins

First half ends

41':Shot missed. Right-footed shot by Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC) from outside the penalty area goes slightly over the goal in a direct free kick situation.

40': Substitution, Inter Miami CF. Noah Allen replaces Sergio Reguilón due to injury.

36': Shot blocked. Tadeo Allende (Inter Miami CF) attempts a right-footed shot from a difficult angle on the right, ball goes to the top right corner but is saved by Brian Schwake (Nashville SC). Assist by Lionel Messi.

33': Jeisson Palacios (Nashville SC) awarded a free kick in his own half.

22': Sergio Reguilón (Inter Miami CF) awarded a free kick on the left wing.

19': Shot missed. Tadeo Allende (Inter Miami CF) attempts a right-footed shot from inside the penalty area, ball goes wide to the left after a free kick situation.

13': Lionel Messi (Inter Miami CF) awarded a free kick in his own half.

7': Goal! Inter Miami CF 1, Nashville SC 0. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami CF) scores with a left-footed shot from inside the penalty area into the center of the goal. Assist by Sergio Reguilón.

4': Shot blocked. Germán Berterame (Inter Miami CF) attempts a right-footed shot from inside the penalty area, but Brian Schwake (Nashville SC) successfully saves it at the center of the goal. Assist by Tadeo Allende.

First half begins