MLS Play-offs: Lionel Messi scores but Nashville wins, goes to game 3

No pass to the Eastern Conference semifinals. L’Inter Miami, ahead 1-0 in the playoff series with Nashville, lost Game 2 (2-1 the final). It will, therefore, require the third and final act, in a week’s time in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to know who will advance to the next round.

After scoring a brace in the first act of the series, Lionel Messi scored again but, this time, his goal was not enough to avoid defeat. Goals, in the first half, by Sam Surridge (on a penalty kick) and Josh Bauer allowed Nashville to break a streak of as many as 10 games without a win against Miami’Inter.

Mascherano, coach of Inter Miami, complained in the postgame about the referee&#8217s decision not to go to VAR to review the action that led to the awarding of the penalty later converted by Sam Surridge: “Regarding the refereeing, I prefer not to comment because I know the system and I don&#8217t want to end up being criticized. I am simply surprised that he did not go to VAR to review the’action. VAR is an available tool and I do not understand why they did not consult it” his words in the press conference.

It should be remembered that Inter Miami, last year, was eliminated in the very first round of the post season. An’eventuality that Lionel Messi and teammates don&#8217t even want to consider.