What a great game between Nashville and Inter Miami. What an ending. One of the greatest run for Inter Miami and Lionel Messi.
In the Leagues Cup final on Sunday night in Nashville, Tennessee, Inter Miami defeated Nashville SC 10-9 in a penalty kick shootout after the game ended in a draw at 1-1 after regulation.
The Messi experience in Miami and the MLS has only lasted seven games so far. And since joining the league in 2023, Messi has already assisted Inter Miami in claiming its first championship.
This Leagues Cup final was fiercely contested, despite the fact that it feels like what should happen when the greatest soccer player in history joins a team that was otherwise a lowly MLS squad before his arrival.
Messi scored with a breathtaking goal from outside the D box in the game’s 23rd minute. In the 57th minute, Fafá Picault of Nashville scored. To make the score equal. For winning the game in the last seconds of regulation time before requiring a total of 22 penalties kicks to decide it, the score remains a draw.
Nashville coach Gary Smith stated, “We were able to put ourselves in a position where we could have stolen it. The best player on the planet, Messi, have the great impact on today’s events.
Leagues Title is won by Inter Miami. The best player prize goes to Messi.
Messi won the Leagues Cup top scorer and best player trophies after tallying goals in his debut tournament appearance with Inter Miami.
Drake Callender of Inter Miami received the award for best goalie of the competition after stopping two penalties kicks by Hany Mukhtar, the current MLS MVP, in the last seconds, as well as the game-winning penalty kick by Elliot Panicco of Nashville.
“The contest was close for both teams. Any club might have triumphed, according to Martino, who previously coached Messi for FC Barcelona and Argentina. “I was quite pleased with the victory. We gathered here.
With its victory, Inter Miami receives $2 million in prize money and a guaranteed spot in the Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 in 2024.