By Dan Mughogho | Published 10 March 2026 | Updated 12 October 2026
Nashville SC eliminated Inter Miami from the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup after the two teams finished their Round of 16 tie level at 1-1 on aggregate. Lionel Messi scored the 900th goal of his career in the second leg, but Cristian Espinoza’s equaliser sent Nashville through on away goals.
Inter Miami had hoped to use home advantage to secure a place in the quarterfinals. Instead, Nashville left Fort Lauderdale with the result they needed after holding Miami to a 1-1 draw on 18 March, following a goalless first leg in Tennessee.
The result was a major setback for Inter Miami, who entered the competition as the reigning 2025 MLS Cup champions. For Nashville, it was a memorable progression in a tournament where one away goal proved decisive.
Inter Miami vs Nashville SC: Match Results at a Glance
| Match detail | Result |
|---|---|
| Competition | 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup |
| Round | Round of 16 |
| First leg | Nashville SC 0-0 Inter Miami |
| Second leg | Inter Miami 1-1 Nashville SC |
| Aggregate score | 1-1 |
| Decisive factor | Away goals |
| Messi’s milestone | 900th career goal |
Nashville advanced because it scored once away from home in the second leg, while Inter Miami failed to score in Nashville.
First Leg: Nashville SC Hold Inter Miami to a 0-0 Draw
The first leg took place at GEODIS Park in Nashville on 11 March. Despite Inter Miami having more possession, Nashville created several dangerous opportunities and prevented the visitors from taking an advantage into the return match.
Heavy rain added to the difficult conditions. Nashville looked threatening through Sam Surridge and Warren Madrigal, who both came close to opening the scoring.
Surridge curled an attempt just wide in the 11th minute, while Madrigal headed wide in the 22nd. The Nashville forward later tested Inter Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair, who helped keep the match goalless.
Inter Miami had 59% possession but struggled to turn that control into clear chances. The team managed only two first-half shots, neither of which was on target.
Messi also had an opportunity after the break, but his effort was saved. Germán Berterame then fired the rebound narrowly wide.
The 0-0 result left the tie open. Inter Miami had avoided defeat, but the team still needed to deliver at home to reach the quarterfinals.
Second Leg: Messi Reaches 900 Goals
Inter Miami returned to South Florida for the second leg on 18 March, knowing that a win would secure progress to the next round.
Messi gave the home side an early lift. In the seventh minute, he finished with his left foot from the centre of the penalty area after receiving a pass from Sergio Reguilón.
The goal was the 900th of Messi’s career, marking a significant personal milestone. It also put Inter Miami ahead on the night and gave the team hope of progressing in the competition.
Reguilón recorded his first assist for the club with the pass that created the goal.
For a moment, the early breakthrough appeared to put Miami in control. However, the team could not turn its advantage into another goal, leaving Nashville within reach of a comeback.
Cristian Espinoza Changes the Tie
Nashville remained in the contest and found its breakthrough in the 74th minute when Cristian Espinoza scored the equaliser.
The goal changed the situation for both teams. With the aggregate score level at 1-1, Nashville had the away goal it needed to progress under the competition’s tiebreaking rules.
Inter Miami had more possession and recorded 10 shots compared with Nashville’s five, but it could not find the goal that would keep its Champions Cup campaign alive.
The final whistle confirmed a 1-1 draw in the second leg. With the first match also ending 0-0, the aggregate score was level, but Nashville advanced.
Why Nashville SC Advanced on Away Goals
The tie was decided by the away-goals rule used in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup.
Under that rule, when two teams finish a two-legged tie level on aggregate, the team that scores more goals away from home advances. In this case, Nashville scored once in Fort Lauderdale, while Inter Miami failed to score in the first leg in Tennessee.
That difference was enough to settle the tie without extra time or a penalty shootout.
For Inter Miami, the result was particularly disappointing because the team had taken the lead in the second leg and had the home crowd behind it. Nashville, however, stayed organised and took advantage of its opportunity in the second half.
The elimination also ended Miami’s hopes of winning the 2026 edition of the competition, which offers the tournament winner a place at the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup.
Javier Mascherano Takes Responsibility for the Exit
Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano accepted responsibility for the team’s elimination after the second leg.
The result raised questions about Miami’s ability to convert possession and attacking opportunities into the goals needed to win knockout matches. Although the team scored early through Messi, it was unable to add another goal before Espinoza equalised.
Inter Miami had entered the competition directly at the Round of 16 after winning the 2025 MLS Cup. That meant the tie against Nashville was the club’s first match in the 2026 Champions Cup.
The defeat ended that campaign before Miami could build momentum in the tournament.
Mascherano’s time at the club later came to an end. Inter Miami announced on 14 April that he was leaving for personal reasons, and Guillermo Hoyos took over on an interim basis.
What Happened Next to Nashville SC and Inter Miami?
Nashville SC Move Into the Quarterfinals
Nashville advanced to the quarterfinals after eliminating Inter Miami. The team was drawn against Club América, with the first leg scheduled at GEODIS Park on 7 April.
Nashville’s progress continued beyond the quarterfinals, taking the club into the semifinals. Its run eventually ended against Tigres, who won the semifinal tie 2-0 on aggregate.
Even so, eliminating Inter Miami was a significant moment in Nashville’s 2026 continental campaign.
Inter Miami Return to MLS Action
After their Champions Cup exit, Inter Miami turned their attention back to domestic competition. The team was scheduled to face New York City FC at Yankee Stadium on 22 March.
The club had to move forward from the disappointment of the Nashville tie while continuing its MLS campaign.
Messi’s 900th career goal remained a major individual milestone, but it could not change the outcome of the two-legged contest.
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Inter Miami and Nashville SC: Recent History
The two clubs have developed a competitive history through several important meetings.
- 2023: Inter Miami defeated Nashville on penalties in the Leagues Cup final at GEODIS Park, securing the club’s first trophy.
- 2024: Inter Miami won a Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 tie against Nashville 5-3 on aggregate before being eliminated by Monterrey in the quarterfinals.
- 2025: Inter Miami eliminated Nashville in the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs on the way to winning the title. Miami also won four of its five meetings with Nashville that year.
- 2026: Nashville eliminated Inter Miami from the Concacaf Champions Cup on away goals after the two-legged tie finished 1-1 on aggregate.
The 2026 result added another important chapter to the rivalry, with Nashville gaining revenge in continental competition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won Inter Miami vs Nashville SC in the 2026 Champions Cup?
Nashville SC advanced after the two teams finished 1-1 on aggregate. Nashville scored an away goal in the second leg, which proved decisive under the competition’s rules.
Did Lionel Messi score against Nashville SC?
Yes. Messi scored in the seventh minute of the second leg on 18 March 2026. The goal was the 900th of his career.
What was the aggregate score between Inter Miami and Nashville?
The aggregate score was 1-1. Nashville drew the first leg 0-0 at home and the second leg 1-1 away.
Why was Inter Miami eliminated despite drawing the tie?
Nashville advanced because it scored an away goal in Fort Lauderdale, while Inter Miami did not score in Nashville. The away-goals rule decided the tie without extra time or penalties.
Who scored for Nashville SC in the second leg?
Cristian Espinoza scored Nashville’s equaliser in the 74th minute.
Who did Nashville SC face after eliminating Inter Miami?
Nashville faced Club América in the quarterfinals and later reached the semifinals, where Tigres eliminated the team 2-0 on aggregate.
Final Takeaway
Inter Miami’s Champions Cup campaign ended in disappointment despite Messi reaching the 900-goal milestone. His early strike gave Miami hope, but Espinoza’s second-half equaliser allowed Nashville SC to advance on away goals.
The tie showed how narrow the margins can be in knockout football. Inter Miami had more possession and more shots in the second leg, but Nashville made its decisive opportunity count.
For Nashville, the result delivered a memorable victory over the reigning MLS Cup champions. For Miami, it was a reminder that individual milestones and possession statistics do not guarantee progression when the goals needed to win are missing.
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Editorial note: This report is based on the match details and timeline supplied for this article. Newsaih welcomes corrections at Info@newsaih.com.
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