Luis Suarez's header in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time lifted Inter Miami to a 2-2 draw with host Nashville SC on Thursday in the first leg of CONCACAF Champions Cup round-of-16 series.
Jacob Shaffelburg scored twice for Nashville, while Lionel Messi delivered a goal for Miami.
The two-match, total-goal series will conclude Wednesday in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The winner will advance to oppose either Monterrey or FC Cincinnati in the quarterfinals.
In the final moments, Inter Miami's Sergio Busquets sent a cross from the right side to the middle of the penalty area. Suarez, a former Barcelona teammate of Busquets and Messi, was open for a 6-yard header.
LUIS SUAREZ SCORES THE EQUALIZER IN STOPPAGE TIME! pic.twitter.com/oRbStXNOKy
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 8, 2024
Shaffelburg scored early in each half, in the fourth and 46th minutes. Messi replied in the 52nd minute with a left-footed strike from just outside the 18-yard box.
MESSI TAKES ONE BACK!
What a strike. pic.twitter.com/JHiG8a90IA— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 8, 2024
Early in the contest, Nashville's Shaq Moore sliced through the middle of the Miami defense and laid the ball off to Shaffelburg, whose 12-yard, left-footed blast went into the net over the head of goalie Drake Callender.
Jacob Shaffelburggggg
WHAT A START FOR NASHVILLE! pic.twitter.com/UsqckwfCjp— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 8, 2024
Just after halftime, Shaffelburg dribbled to the edge of the Miami box and unleashed a right-footed shot that sailed into the far top corner of the net.
JACOB SHAFFELBURG BANGER! @jacobshaff2 bags a brace and @NashvilleSC leads 2-0. #ConcaChampions pic.twitter.com/VJNL2BCNez
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 8, 2024
Inter Miami vs Nashville highlights
--Field Level Media
