Messi nets 19th MLS goal and 99th for Miami in 2-2 draw with Nashville

Lionel Messi delivered a 62nd-minute curling strike to take the lead in the Major League Soccer Golden Boot race and reach 99 goals for Inter Miami CF, but a stoppage-time equalizer by Sam Surridge sealed a 2-2 draw for Supporters' Shield leaders Nashville SC at Nu Stadium on Sunday morning Asia/Shanghai. 123

Nashville opened the scoring in the fourth minute when Andy Nájar found Sam Surridge for a low angled finish past goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair. 14 Miami leveled in the 19th minute when Messi's in-swinging corner kick forced Nashville defender Reed Baker-Whiting into an own goal. 13

Miami seized control after the break. In the 50th minute, Messi drove a left-footed effort against the crossbar from the right side of the penalty area. 1 Twelve minutes later, Rodrigo De Paul spotted Messi central outside the box, where the Argentine captain struck a first-time curler from 20 yards into the bottom corner past goalkeeper Brian Schwake to hand Miami a 2-1 lead. 12

Schwake and the woodwork denied Messi a second goal in the 78th minute, deflecting his rebound effort off the left post after an initial Luis Suárez attempt. 13 In the 91st minute, Surridge poked in a loose ball off a St. Clair save to complete his brace, before De Paul struck the outside of the post in the 94th minute during Miami's final push. 12

Messi's 62nd-minute strike elevated him to sole leadership in the 2026 MLS Golden Boot race with 19 regular-season goals, breaking a tie with FC Dallas forward Petar Musa. 2 Combined with his 13 regular-season assists, Messi leads the league with 32 total goal contributions. 2

The goal marked Messi's 99th strike for Inter Miami across all competitions since arriving in July 2023, leaving him one goal shy of the century mark. 15 Nashville remains Messi's most frequent target in North America, with 17 career goals scored across 14 meetings in league and cup competitions. 5

The draw preserved Nashville's nine-point cushion at the summit of the Eastern Conference with nine matches remaining in the regular season. 23 B.J. Callaghan's team also holds an eight-point advantage over Western Conference leaders Vancouver Whitecaps FC in the overall Supporters' Shield standings. 2

The dropped points exposed persistent late-game vulnerability for Inter Miami. Miami has surrendered 11 points from winning positions at home this season, the third-highest total in MLS behind New York City FC and CF Montréal. 3 Interim manager Guillermo Hoyos remains in charge on the sideline while incoming head coach Cristian "Kily" González completes his work visa paperwork, leaving Miami with one victory across its last nine fixtures in all competitions. 35

Inter Miami shifts focus immediately to silverware as the club hosts reigning Liga MX champion Cruz Azul in the 2026 Michelob ULTRA Campeones Cup. 1

The annual single-match cup contest between the reigning MLS Cup and Liga MX champions takes place at Nu Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 17 at 7:00 a.m. Asia/Shanghai (Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 7:00 p.m. ET). 1 Having suffered earlier eliminations from the Concacaf Champions Cup and Leagues Cup, Miami views the midweek fixture as an immediate opportunity to secure its first trophy of the 2026 campaign. 3