When Lionel Messi, forward of Inter Miami CF stormed onto the field at GEODIS Park on Saturday, October 18, 2025, the MLS regular‑season finale turned into a fireworks display, ending 5‑2 in favor of the visitors.
During the MLS regular‑season finaleGEODIS Park, the home side Nashville SC fought back but ultimately succumbed to a late surge that secured a third‑place finish for Inter Miami in the Eastern Conference.
Match overview
The game kicked off at 5:00 p.m. Central Time and was streamed live on Apple TV. Early on, Messi gave the visitors a taste of his class, slipping the ball past goalkeeper Joe Willis in the 34th minute. Nashville answered quickly, with Sam Surridge nodding home the equaliser just before the break.
Minutes later, Nashville took the lead when Jacob Shaffelburg struck in the 45th + 6 minute. The home crowd roared, thinking a slip‑away victory was possible. But the second half belonged to Inter Miami.
Key moments and Messi's hat‑trick
At 63 minutes, Messi calmly converted a penalty to level the score. Four minutes later, Baltasar Rodríguez nudged the ball in, giving Miami the edge. The Argentine legend capped his night with his third of the match in the 81st minute, a low‑driven finish that left Willis stranded. A final tap‑in by Telasco Segovia in stoppage time sealed the 5‑2 victory.
"Messi’s movement was unbelievable," said Harrison Campbell, a reporter for The Tennessean. "He made it look effortless, even when the pressure was on."
Playoff implications for Nashville
Entering the match, Nashville sat sixth in the Eastern Conference, just a win away from the coveted fourth spot that guarantees home‑field advantage in the opening round of the MLS Cup playoffs. The loss dropped them into a shuffle that could see them finish anywhere from fourth to eighth, depending on results elsewhere.
Nevertheless, the club secured a playoff berth and will meet Inter Miami again in a best‑of‑three first‑round series. That rematch promises a quick‑fire showdown between Miami’s star‑studded attack and Nashville’s resilient, playoff‑tested squad.
Golden Boot race
Sam Surridge entered Decision Day with 23 goals, one shy of the league’s leading marksmen. His 24th goal against Miami kept him in the conversation, but he still trailed the leaders who sit at 26. Los Angeles FC’s Denis Bouanga also held 24, meaning the final stretch could still shuffle the top‑three.
“I was close, but still have a chance,” Surridge said after the match. “If I get a few more chances next week, I can still push for the Golden Boot.”
Statistical breakdown
- Possession: Inter Miami 60 % – Nashville 40 %
- Expected goals (xG): Miami 3.48 – Nashville 3.10
- Total shots: Miami 17 (5 on target) – Nashville 15 (7 on target)
- Big chances created: Nashville 6 – Miami 4
- Passing accuracy: Miami 91 % – Nashville 88 %
The numbers tell a story of a match that was tighter than the scoreline suggests. Nashville actually generated a higher xG and more big chances, yet Miami’s clinical finishing — highlighted by Messi’s hat‑trick — proved decisive.
Looking ahead to the playoffs
Inter Miami now heads into the postseason with momentum, a solid defensive record, and the confidence that comes from seeing their global superstar deliver when it matters most. Head coach Gerardo Martínez (not marked again) emphasized the importance of staying focused: “We can’t look back. Every game is a final now.”
For Nashville, the task is to regroup quickly. Assistant coach Alberto Rossi (also unmarked later) warned that the playoff series could be “a chess match” given Miami’s firepower.
Key facts
- Hat‑trick by Lionel Messi (34’, 63’ PK, 81’)
- Final score: Inter Miami 5 – Nashville 2
- Date & venue: October 18 2025, GEODIS Park, Nashville
- Inter Miami finishes 3rd in the Eastern Conference (65 points)
- Nashville secures a playoff spot but final seeding pending other results
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Messi’s hat‑trick affect Inter Miami’s playoff outlook?
The three‑goal burst not only secured a decisive win but also boosted team morale heading into a best‑of‑three series against Nashville. With a third‑place finish and 65 points, Miami enters the postseason as a legitimate contender, and Messi’s form suggests he could be the X‑factor in tight knockout games.
What are the playoff seeding scenarios for Nashville SC?
If the teams ahead of Nashville lose or draw their final matches, the Volunteers could climb to fourth place, earning home‑field advantage. Conversely, if rivals win, Nashville may slip to as low as eighth, forcing a wild‑card encounter. Their fate hinges on results from DC United, New York Red Bulls, and Atlanta United later that night.
Does Sam Surridge still have a realistic shot at the Golden Boot?
Yes, but it’s a tight race. With 24 goals, Surridge trails leaders at 26 by two. He would need at least two more goals in the remaining regular‑season fixtures and hope the current leaders drop points. The next two weeks feature high‑scoring opponents, so a breakthrough is possible.
How did the possession and xG stats reflect the match dynamics?
Inter Miami’s 60 % possession indicated they controlled the tempo, but Nashville’s higher xG (3.10 vs. 3.48) showed they created quality chances despite less ball. The disparity in finishing — Miami converting three of Messi’s chances — ultimately decided the game.
When and where can fans watch the upcoming playoff series?
The first leg of the best‑of‑three series is scheduled for October 27, 2025, at GEODIS Park. The second leg, if necessary, will be at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. Both matches will be streamed on Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass.
Heena Shaikh
October 19, 2025 AT 20:08Messi’s hat‑trick isn’t merely a statistical footnote; it’s a testament to the futility of relying on collective effort when a single individual can eclipse the entire squad. The Argentine virtuoso shattered any illusion that Nashville’s tactical adjustments mattered, reducing their strategy to a footnote in a broader narrative of dominance. While fans cheer, the deeper truth remains: brilliance often renders opposition irrelevant. This performance should remind us that the league’s competitive parity is a myth when a world‑class talent steps onto the pitch. In the end, the triumph is a philosophical indictment of teamwork in the face of singular genius.