Messi scores 900th goal as Nashville beat Miami in Champions Cup

Cristian Espinoza's second-half strike sends Nashville to quarterfinals, spoiling Messi milestone

Mar. 19, 2026 at 4:37am

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Lionel Messi scored his 900th career goal, but it wasn't enough as Nashville SC defeated Inter Miami 1-1 on aggregate to advance to the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals. Cristian Espinoza's second-half strike was the decisive goal that eliminated Miami and sent Nashville through to the next round of the tournament.

Why it matters

Messi's 900th goal is a remarkable individual milestone, cementing his status as one of the greatest players of all time. However, the result is a disappointment for Inter Miami, who were hoping to make a deep run in the Champions Cup in their home market. The match also highlights the growing strength of MLS clubs like Nashville, who are increasingly able to compete with top teams from Liga MX and other leagues in the region.

The details

The match ended 1-1 on aggregate after the teams drew 0-0 in the first leg. Espinoza's 65th minute strike proved to be the decisive goal that sent Nashville through to the quarterfinals at the expense of the home team Inter Miami.

  • The match was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2026 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The players

Lionel Messi

Argentinian soccer superstar who scored his 900th career goal in the match.

Cristian Espinoza

Nashville SC midfielder who scored the decisive goal that eliminated Inter Miami.

Nashville SC

MLS club that advanced to the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals.

Inter Miami

MLS club that was eliminated from the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

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What they’re saying

“Messi's 900th goal is a testament to his incredible career and skill, but we're disappointed we couldn't get the win for our fans here in Miami.”

— Phil Neville, Inter Miami manager

“This is a huge result for our club. Beating a star-studded team like Inter Miami on their home turf shows how far we've come as a team.”

— Gary Smith, Nashville SC manager

What’s next

Nashville SC will face the winner of the Tigres UANL vs. Club América quarterfinal matchup in the next round of the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

The takeaway

Lionel Messi's historic 900th goal was overshadowed by Nashville SC's upset victory over Inter Miami, underscoring the growing parity and competitiveness in North American club soccer.