Messi and Suarez came to Inter Miami’s rescue as they snatch an important draw in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
What a night to remember for the Inter Miami fans. Even everyone thought that it was over for them to bounce back, in reality, Inter Miami did bounce back. It appeared as though Inter Miami CF was in control of the CONCACAF Champions Cup match for the majority of the game on Thursday night. Just seconds into the second half, Nashville led 2-0 and appeared to be coasting. Still, the Herons were trailing but not defeated. Genuinely they’re never truly out of it.
Being a supporter of this team, it’s impossible to fall asleep, isn’t it? Inter Miami finds a way right after it appears it’s over and we believe they’re gone. We know they’re competent enough to do that. Games can change in a matter of seconds when you have players like Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi on your team. Last year, that was felt by a few clubs. It happened to the LA Galaxy early in the MLS season. This time, the two Barcelona legends led an amazing Inter Miami CF comeback that left Nashville SC on their heels.
Even as the years pass, the relationship only gets stronger with time. When the two, who are presently teammates at Inter Miami, combined to score the first goal of the Argentine in their CONCACAF Champions Cup encounter against Nashville SC, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez carried the audience back to their Barcelona days.
The match was going pretty well for Nashville as just under four minutes into the clash, Jacob Shaffelburg of Nashville SC scored a goal by seizing the opportunity. Furthermore 46 minutes into the game, he extended the score just a minute into the 2nd half with a fantastic finish.
Eventually, Lionel Messi came to the rescue. And subsequently, Luis Suarez also rose on the occasion for Inter Miami.
In the 52nd minute, the Argentine scored a spectacular goal from the edge of the box to tie the score and bring Inter Miami Soccer Club back into the game. Messi magic was insufficient, even though it seemed like it would give them the push they were seeking to gain confidence in their play. However, Luis Suarez – Messi’s buddy and former Barcelona teammate, also needed to step up for him.
Sergio Busquets found the Uruguayan in the penalty box, and Suarez hammered the ball into the net past the opponent Goalie Willis with his head to secure the score at 2-2. The 37 years old Uruguayan had played 95 minutes but his legs were still capable enough of changing the fortune for his club. This was the sixth minute of stoppage time.
It is a fact that Inter Miami manager, Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino employed a back-five formation for the first time since their preseason. Over four attempts, they failed to win a single game with five man defence till date. However, Inter Miami’s main player and talisman, Lionel Messi, has been the difference maker. He also helped Miami rescue a draw in their match against LA Galaxy with an incredible late equalizer.
Inter Miami has had an incredible start to the season, winning two of their three league games to take the lead with seven points. This comes after a terrible season last year, in which Messi’s team finished second-to-last in the MLS.
The way that Messi and Suarez have linked up this season suggests that their days together will be bright. In their most recent meeting, Miami defeated Orlando City 5 goals to 1. From time to time it shows that their combination is lethal for the opponent’s defenses.
First Team XI (Nashville): Willis, Lovitz, McNaughton, Mukhtar, Boyd, Shaffelburg, Moore, Muyl, Godoy, Zimmerman (capt), Davis.
First Team XI (Inter Miami): Callender, Allen, Freire, Kryvtsov, Aviles, Gressel, Gomez, Busquets, Redondo, Suarez, Messi (capt).
Moments of the Match, 8th March 2024.
07.37: Kick Off- Nashville 0 – 0 Inter Miami
07.42: GOAL- Nashville 1 – 0 Inter Miami. Shaffelburg scored!
08.03: Yellow card- Redondo (Inter Miami)
08.26: Half Time- Nashville 1 – 0 Inter Miami
08.42: Second Half Resumes- Nashville 1 – 0 Inter Miami
08.43: GOAL- Nashville 2 – 0 Inter Miami. Shaffelburg scored again!
08.47: GOAL- Nashville 2 – 1 Inter Miami. Messi scored back!
09.31: GOAL- Nashville 2 – 2 Inter Miami. Suarez scored the equalizer in the stoppage time.
09.34: Full Time- Nashville 2 – 2 Inter Miami. The match ended in a draw.
Player of the Match was named to Jacob Shaffelburg of Nashville SC. It’s fair that Messi and Suarez are going to get affection. However, for Nashville SC, Jacob Shaffelburg proved truly amazing. The Canadian International was not simply a threat throughout the counteroffensive, but he was also resilient and strong. He grabbed the chances that were given to him and performed exceptionally well in both stunning finishes.
The initial goal was a classic striker’s finish, in which he dribbled past a defender and finished without anyone noticing.