The Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs series between Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC is heading to a winner-take-all Game 3, a critical juncture for any team aiming for the MLS Cup. In a dramatic encounter at GEODIS Park on Saturday, November 1, Nashville SC secured a crucial 2-1 victory over the favored Inter Miami, leveling the Round One Best-of-3 series and forcing a decisive clash in the Inter Miami Playoff journey. This Inter Miami Playoff game showcased intense competition.
Lionel Messi, the talisman for Inter Miami, managed to pull one goal back in the 89th minute, but his late strike proved to be a mere consolation as Nashville held on for a historic win. This defeat places Inter Miami in a precarious position, needing to win the upcoming Game 3 to avoid a second consecutive first-round playoff elimination. The pressure for an Inter Miami Playoff victory is immense.
Nashville Takes Control with First-Half Dominance in Inter Miami Playoff Match
Nashville SC, the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference, came out with an aggressive mindset, determined to keep their season alive in this crucial Inter Miami Playoff matchup. Their efforts were rewarded early when Sam Surridge converted a penalty in the 9th minute, sending Inter Miami goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo the wrong way. The penalty was awarded after Ríos Novo hesitated coming off his line to challenge Surridge. The momentum swung further in Nashville’s favor just before halftime, as Josh Bauer doubled their lead in the 45th minute. Bauer found the back of the net from close range following a corner kick delivered by Hany Mukhtar, giving Nashville a commanding 2-0 advantage heading into the break. This strong first half performance puts Inter Miami in a difficult spot.
Despite Inter Miami holding a slight edge in total shots (11 to Nashville’s 9), Nashville proved more clinical in the crucial moments of the first half. The statistics also showed Nashville with more shots on target (5 to Miami’s 3), and a significant advantage in possession (59.77%), highlighting their control during this vital part of the soccer playoff series.
Messi’s Late Spark and Miami’s Fightback in the Inter Miami Playoff
Inter Miami, the third seed, found themselves chasing the game in the second half. While they showed periods of pressure, they struggled to break down a disciplined Nashville defense for much of the match. Coach Javier Mascherano made tactical substitutions, bringing on Telasco Segovia and Mateo Silvetti in an attempt to bolster the attack, but it was not until the dying moments that Inter Miami found a breakthrough. The hope for an Inter Miami Playoff win flickered.
In the 89th minute, Lionel Messi, who had been relatively quiet for large stretches of the game due to tight marking, produced a moment of individual brilliance. Receiving the ball on the right side of the box, he skillfully wrong-footed a defender and fired a powerful left-footed shot into the top right corner, reigniting hope for the visiting fans. This Lionel Messi goal marked his 32nd of the MLS campaign and his sixth against Nashville across their matchups since his arrival in 2023. Rodrigo De Paul was credited with the assist for the crucial Inter Miami Playoff goal.
High Stakes and Playoff Pressure for Inter Miami
The victory for Nashville SC was significant, marking their first playoff win against Inter Miami since the 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs and snapping a 10-match winless streak against the South Florida club dating back to May 2023. Nashville coach B.J. Callaghan praised his team’s commitment and intensity, stating, “That was a team that was committed to playing in an aggressive and intense way and was able to do it for a long period of time tonight.” This result puts Inter Miami on the brink.
For Inter Miami, the loss brings back memories of their disappointing exit in the 2024 MLS Cup playoffs, where they also won Game 1 of their first-round series against Atlanta United, only to lose the next two. Coach Mascherano acknowledged the team’s struggles in the first half, noting, “We did not find [Messi] in good situations in the first half.” The pressure is now immense on Inter Miami to rebound in the decisive third match of this Inter Miami Playoff series to avoid playoff elimination.
A Decisive Game 3 Awaits for the Inter Miami Playoff Dream
The series now shifts back to Fort Lauderdale for Game 3, scheduled for Saturday, November 8, at Chase Stadium. The winner of this tie will advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals to face either No. 2 seed Cincinnati or No. 7 Columbus Crew. Cincinnati currently holds a 1-0 lead in that respective series. This upcoming match represents a critical juncture for Inter Miami, who will be aiming to leverage their home advantage and avoid the same fate that befell them last season. This is a pivotal moment in the 2025 MLS season for both clubs, with one team’s championship aspirations set to end and the other to continue on the path to the MLS Cup. The sports news surrounding this Inter Miami Playoff series is sure to intensify as game day approaches, with fans eager to see who will advance in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.
