Messi misses again as Inter Miami suffer heavy loss to Nashville

Washington, August 16 - Lionel Messi faced another penalty miss and received a yellow card as Inter Miami fell to a 4-1 defeat against Nashville on Saturday in a crucial MLS matchup. Sam Surridge and Hany Mukhtar scored for Nashville in the second half, capitalizing on a top-of-the-table clash between the league's leaders. Hailing from Argentina, Messi was denied a penalty in the first half and was also booked in the 59th minute, though he played a role in Inter's lone goal.

Messi struck both posts in stoppage time during the second half. Nashville currently leads the MLS with 43 points and a perfect record of 13-2 with four draws, while Inter Miami sits in second place with 38 points. The Nashville team had already eliminated Miami from the Concacaf Champions Cup in the round of 16. Defending MLS champion Miami, who started the season with an impressive 8-1-1 road record, saw their seven-game unbeaten streak in the MLS come to an end with Nashville remaining unbeaten at home this season.

Honduran defender Andy Najar put Nashville ahead with a header in the 17th minute, saving a penalty kick by Messi in the 23rd minute, and Surridge and Mukhtar scored to widen the gap.