Leagues Cup: Messi had put Miami ahead in the 24th minute with a wonder strike into the top corner but Fafa Picault levelled for Nashville in the second half.
In the Leagues Cup final on Saturday night, Inter Miami defeated Nashville SC 10-9 on penalties after Lionel Messi scored early in regulation and hit the first penalty kick attempt.
Messi converted in the 23rd minute for his 10th goal in seven games since joining Inter Miami, all of which have come in Leagues Cup play.
Messi received the ball at his feet after teammate Robert Taylor's pass was intercepted. Messi sped by Walker Zimmerman, a defender for Nashville, and fired a twisting ball from just outside the box into the upper left corner of the net. Elliot Panicco, a diving custodian, was unable to play the ball.
Messi wasn’t particularly influential before he scored the goal, and the crowd showered him with boos each time he touched the ball. But the stadium erupted in cheers when the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner who led Argentina to the World Cup crown last year scored