Argentine star striker Lionel Messi of Inter Miami reacts after missing a first-half penalty kick in his club's MLS loss at Nashville Credit: Carly Mackler / Getty Images via AFP

Lionel Messi failed from the penalty spot, was yellow-carded, and hit both posts in stoppage time in Inter Miami’s 4-1 loss at Nashville SC before 30,109 that kept the Coyotes in first place of the Eastern Conference.

Goalkeeper Brian Schwake saved the penalty kick from Messi, who missed two during the 2026 World Cup, after Andy Najar gave Nashville the lead on a header off a long ball from Elias Saad. Following Telasco Segovia‘s equalizer, Sam Surridge‘s back-heel golazo was sandwiched baby two Hany Mukhtar goals.

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Soccer America Executive Editor Mike Woitalla has written freelance articles about soccer for more than 30 media outlets in nine nations. The winner of eight United Soccer Coaches Writing Contest awards,...