FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. –  The 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup continued with Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC playing to a 1-1 draw in the Second Leg of their Round of 16 series, with the latter advancing on away goals, on Wednesday at Inter Miami CF Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA.

With a goalless draw in the first leg, Nashville SC came in with a slight advantage if it could score an away goal.

Lionel Messi broke the deadlock in the 7’, sending a left-footed shot past Brian Schwake, to place Inter Miami up 1-nil on aggregate. The goal marked Messi’s 900th overall in his professional career.

The visitors obtained the equalizer in the 74’ through the boots of Cristian Espinoza, who struck off a half-volley in the box to score the goal that decided the series. Espinoza was named the Superior Player of the Match for his performance.

Nashville SC advances to the Quarterfinals, setting a new best for the club in the Concacaf Champions Cup. The MLS club awaits the winner of the Club América and Philadelphia Union series.

Post– Match Data 

• Lionel Messi scored his eighth Concacaf Champions Cup goal and now has 10 direct goal contributions for Inter Miami CF (8 goals, 2 assists). Since his debut in the competition, only Ángel Sepúlveda (11) has more goal involvements.

• Nashville SC had less possession (40% to 60%) and fewer total shots (5 to 10) than Inter Miami CF in this match. However, they generated more expected goals (1.0 xG to 0.8 xG).

• Sergio Reguilón (Inter Miami CF) assisted Lionel Messi’s goal, recording his first assist in continental competition since 2020, when he played for Sevilla against Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League. This marked his Concacaf Champions Cup debut.

• Despite elimination, Inter Miami CF remained unbeaten against Nashville SC in the Concacaf Champions Cup (W1 D3). It is the opponent they have faced the most without losing in the competition since their debut in 2024.

• Cristian Espinoza recorded his fifth direct goal involvement for Nashville SC in the 2026 season across MLS and the Concacaf Champions Cup (2 goals, 3 assists). In those matches, Nashville remain unbeaten (W3 D1). The Argentine scored in this match and had assisted in his previous MLS game against Columbus Crew (1-1).