After defeating Nashville 3-1 (5-3 overall) on Wednesday, Inter Miami advanced to the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals with to goals from Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.
Suarez scored the first goal in the eighth minute after Messi put him up, and in the twenty-third minute, the Argentine scored on his own.
Nevertheless, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner was replaced in the 50th minute, and Robert Taylor’s header in the 63rd minute secured the win for his replacement.
Read Also:CF Montreal beats Inter Miami with Messi watching from sideline
When Messi did not look to limp or be in pain, Inter Miami coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino explained that his removal was because he was worried about his hamstring.
In the quarterfinals, Miami, which is participating in the league for the first time, will take on the victor of Thursday’s second-leg match between FC Cincinnati of the MLS and Monterrey of Mexico.
With a 1-0 lead from the first leg, the Liga MX squad is at home.
Nashville had taken a two-goal lead in the first leg in Tennessee, but goals from Messi and Suarez spurred a 2-2 tie.
And while Miami seized control right away, it was the former Barcelona duo that once more proved to be the difference.
When Messi was pulled down on the edge of the box, he had a clear opportunity to take a free kick from a central position, but his shot hit the wall.
However, a few minutes later, Messi set up the goal, slicing open the Nashville defence with a brilliant pass to Suarez, who finished with aplomb that matched the accuracy of the assist.
Although the spotlight is drawn to the experienced foursome of Barcelona players on the Miami squad, which also includes Spaniards Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, the youthful midfield powerhouse Diego Gomez has grown in importance.
The second goal came from the Paraguayan’s strong sprinting in the 23rd minute.
Gomez raced hard into the area and then deftly slipped inside to find Messi, who first buried the ball into the corner.
This season, Messi has scored five goals in five games across all competitions. In six games, Suarez has four goals.
Nashville had not produced much, but Daniel Lovitz’s left-foot volley against the post gave Miami custodian Drake Callender a scare.
Five minutes after the half, Messi was substituted for Taylor by Miami coach Gerardo Martino, who did not appear to be suffering from an injury.
Nashville gained momentum once the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner left, and they attacked with genuine determination.
Callender had to make a fantastic save at point blank range to stop Lukas MacNaughton.
However, Suarez’s exquisite chip into the area towards Taylor, who curled in his header to make it 3-0, put an end to any hope of a Nashville comeback.
English striker Sam Surridge provided a late consolation after Nashville’s Hany Mukhtar’s shot was disallowed for offside.
Earlier, Herediano of Costa Rica advanced to the round of eight with a 1-1 draw against Robinhood of Surinam, good for a 3-1 victory overall.
The other game on Wednesday is an all-Mexican matchup, with Club America playing Chivas Guadalajara at home while defending a 3-0 first-leg advantage.