Inter Miami and Nashville SC face off this Saturday in the second leg of the Round of 16 in the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs. Both teams are aiming for a place in the next round. The first match saw Inter Miami winning 3-1, with Lionel Messi playing a key role.
In their first encounter, Inter Miami, led by Javier Mascherano, triumphed 3-1, with Messi scoring twice and Tadeo Allende adding another goal. Hany Mukhtar scored for Nashville SC.
Inter Miami finished third in the Eastern Conference and is confident after winning their last two matches against Nashville SC. They average 2.38 goals per game and aim to keep their strong offensive momentum to secure their place in the next round.
What if Inter Miami beats Nashville?
Following their 3-1 win in the first leg, Inter Miami must win again tonight—no matter the score— to advance directly to the Eastern Conference semifinals. A victory would see them move to the next stage, eliminating Nashville SC from the competition.
Tadeo Allende of Inter Miami with teammate Lionel Messi
What if the match ends in a tie?
If the match ends in a draw, the series will go to a penalty shootout. Starting from the next round, games will be single-elimination, hosted by the higher-seeded team from the regular season. Nashville SC must aim to level the score to force penalties, regardless of the aggregate score.
What if Inter Miami loses to Nashville?
If Inter Miami loses to Nashville SC—either in regulation or during penalties—a decisive third match will be needed to find out who advances. MLS has a unique playoff format that keeps the competition intense until the end, ensuring every team has a fair chance.
To progress directly to the next round, Inter Miami must secure a win. Any loss would lead to a third and final match.