Chicago, US, Mar 7 (EFE).- Argentine superstar Leo Messi and Uruguayan Luis Suarez struck in the second half to help Inter Miami salvage a 2-2 draw against Nashville in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League round of 16 match on Thursday.
Jacob Shaffelburg scored twice to give Nashville a 2-0 lead by the start of the second half before coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino’s star men reacted to not only secure the draw but earn two crucial away goals ahead of next week’s return leg at Chase Stadium in Miami.
Suarez, who scored two goals against Orlando last week in Major League Soccer, saved the day for Miami with a 95th-minute header to tie the game, minutes after an offside by Shaquell Moore denied Nashville a 3-1 lead.
Miami, who had also avoided defeat in its other away game played this year against the Los Angeles Galaxy, will play the second leg next Wednesday at home to decide the winners of the tie, who will face the winners between Monterrey and Cincinnati.
Without the Spanish Jordi Alba, out due to a severe flu condition, Miami started in the worst way, conceding a goal on Shaffelburg’s counterattack after just four minutes, and continued to suffer against the pressing football of Nashville, one of the most competitive teams in the US.
Messi had two great scoring opportunities in the first half, with a left-footed shot going wide and another getting blocked before Nashville struck again at the beginning of the second half, as Shaffelburg beat Drake Callender with a left-footed shot from outside the box.
It was when the Miami players finally reacted as Messi scored his first goal in this competition with a curved left-footed shot that surprised the goalkeeper.
The goal made Nashville lose confidence as they suddenly started facing problems and let another ball go in shortly before it was ruled out for offside.
Messi was scared by a hard and dangerous foul by MacNaughton that the referee didn’t even whistle.
Nashville thought they were 3-1 ahead in the 83rd minute when Shaq Moore scored a goal that was later disallowed for offside.
Suarez took advantage of his only opportunity of the night to head in a cross from the right wing and sent Inter to Miami with a 2-2 score that would taste like a victory for Martino’s men. EFE
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