Messi scores 900th goal but Inter Miami eliminated on away goals

Lionel Messi scored his 900th career goal as Inter Miami led in Nashville, but Cristian Espinoza's 74th-minute strike earned Nashville a 1-1 draw and sent Miami out of the CONCACAF Champions Cup on away goals after last week's scoreless draw in Tennessee. Much of the first two-thirds of the match went Miami's way.

Sergio Reguilón got the assist on Messi's tidy finish but was forced off with an injury just before half-time. The equalizer arrived from a chaotic sequence: Dayne St. Clair made an initial save, then Espinoza pounced seconds later and smashed the rebound into a crowded net as Miami's defenders sat piled up.

There was no late reprieve. Miami, who had rested key players the previous weekend, could not find a decisive response. Rodrigo de Paul was a clear influence despite being targeted with fouls, while several attackers — including Germán Berterame and Luis Suárez, who touched the ball just five times — were unable to change the outcome.

United States, Nashville, Tennessee

lionel messi, inter miami, cristian espinoza, nashville, concacaf, champions cup, 900th goal, away goals, sergio reguilón, luis suárez