FORT LAUDERDALE — Leo Messi scored his 99th goal across all competitions for Inter Miami CF, but Nashville SC’s Sam Surridge equalized in the first minute of stoppage time to salvage a 2-2 draw at Nu Stadium.
Messi’s 19th regular-season goal — a first-time, left-footed strike from just outside the box off a pass from Rodrigo De Paul in the 62nd minute — gave Inter Miami a 2-1 lead and moved the captain atop the race for the MLS Golden Boot. The assist was De Paul’s 11th this regular season. But the advantage lasted barely 30 minutes before Surridge, who also opened the scoring in the 4th minute, struck again to deny Inter Miami (12W-4L-9D, 45 points) all three points.
Inter Miami controlled 58% of possession and generated 14 shots but could not convert several late chances. In the 78th minute, Luis Suárez forced a save from Nashville goalkeeper Brian Schwake from the center of the box, and Messi’s follow-up deflected off Schwake before bouncing off the left post. De Paul nearly won it in the fourth minute of added time, but his shot from the right side of the box also struck the left post.
Nashville drew first blood when Surridge scored in the 4th minute. Inter Miami equalized in the 19th minute when Messi’s corner kick delivery deflected into the net off Nashville defender Reed Baker-Whiting for an own goal. Messi nearly put Inter Miami ahead in the 50th minute, but his left-footed shot from the right side of the box rattled the crossbar.
The match also marked the debut of recently signed Paraguayan international midfielder Matías Galarza, who entered as a substitute in the 66th minute in place of Telasco Segovia. Dayne St. Clair started in goal for Inter Miami, with Ian Fray, Casemiro, Maximiliano Falcón and Fricio Caicedo forming the back four. Yannick Bright joined De Paul and Segovia in midfield, while Messi, Germán Berterame and Suárez led the attack.
Nashville finished with 15 shots, 3 corners and 18 fouls to Inter Miami’s 4 corners and 13 fouls. Nashville’s Schwake recorded 3 saves; St. Clair made 1.
Inter Miami next hosts Cruz Azul for the 2026 Michelob ULTRA Campeones Cup — the annual clash between the reigning MLS and LIGA MX champions — on Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET at Nu Stadium.