MIAMI: Messi Scores 19th Goal as Inter Miami Draws Nashville 2-2

Lionel Messi added to his league-leading goal tally on Saturday night, netting his 19th score of the Major League Soccer season during a 2-2 draw against first-place Nashville. Messi broke a 1-1 deadlock in the 62nd minute by collecting a pass from Rodrigo De Paul outside the penalty area and firing a left-footed shot into the bottom-left corner.

Nashville struck early in the contest when Sam Surridge converted a pass from Andy Najar just four minutes into the match for his 14th goal of the season. Inter Miami responded in the 19th minute when a Nashville defender accidentally headed the ball into his own net following a corner kick.

How it unfolded

After Messi put the home side ahead in the second half, Nashville pressed for an equalizer. Surridge secured his second goal of the night just one minute into stoppage time, preserving Nashville's unbeaten streak across four meetings with Miami this season and maintaining a nine-point lead in the Eastern Conference standings.

With the draw concluded, Inter Miami turns its attention to upcoming competition. The team is scheduled to host Liga MX champion Cruz Azul on Wednesday in the Campeones Cup.