FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – Lionel Messi and Inter Miami will play in a decisive Game 3 against Nashville SC in the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs on Saturday, Nov. 8 at Chase Stadium.
With the series tied at 1-1, Messi and Inter Miami are staring at playoff elimination in the opening round for the second straight season.
It’ll be the fourth straight match between both clubs, but a trip to the MLS conference semifinals remains on the line. The winner will face FC Cincinnati, which beat Columbus Crew 2-1 in Game 3 earlier Saturday.
Here’s everything you need to know, and stay tuned for live updates from USA TODAY Sports:
Inter Miami 2, Nashville 0: Messi scores second goal (39’)
Messi has a brace, scoring his second goal just before halftime on an assist from 19-year-old Argentine Mateo Silvetti.
Inter Miami 1, Nashville 0: Baltazar Rodriguez misses shot (32’)
Inter Miami performed a set piece in the 32nd minute: Messi sent a pass to Rodriguez, who was just off the mark on his shot from outside the box.
Inter Miami 1, Nashville 0: Messi’s free kick hits Najar (30′)
Inter Miami 1, Nashville 0: Messi nutmegs Edvard Tagseth (19’)
The crowd erupted when Messi pulled off a nutmeg on Nashville’s Edvard Tagseth in the 19th minute. The exchanges from both players after the sequence was comical, too.
Inter Miami 1, Nashville 0: Messi scores goal (10’)
Ten minutes in, and No. 10 has scored: Messi connects on a left boot into the lower right corner of the net to give Inter Miami an early lead.
Inter Miami 0, Nashville 0: Why is Luis Suárez not playing?
Inter Miami will play without Uruguayan striker Luis Suárez, who was suspended for the match and fined after for kicking Nashville’s Andy Najar in Game 2. He was seen on the Inter Miami bench during the opening minutes of the game broadcast.
Inter Miami 0, Nashville SC 0: We’re underway (1′)
The match has begun shortly after 8:15 p.m. ET.
Messi arrives for Game 3
What time is Game 3 between Inter Miami vs. Nashville?
The match begins at 8 p.m. ET (7 p.m. CT, 9 p.m. in Argentina) at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Where to watch Inter Miami vs. Nashville Game 3 on TV/live stream?
The match will be available on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV.
Is Messi playing tonight?
Yes, Messi is a starter and will play tonight.
Inter Miami vs. Nashville starting lineups
Mateo Silvetti, a 19-year-old who played on Argentina’s runner-up Under-20 World Cup team, earned the start in place of Suarez on the front line for Inter Miami alongside Messi, Tadeo Allende and Baltazar Rodriguez.
Inter Miami vs. Nashville prediction
Inter Miami 3, Nashville 2: Inter Miami prevails with a brace and an assist by Messi at home, but don’t expect Nashville to just bow away so easily. –Safid Deen
Who does Inter Miami-Nashville winner play next in MLS playoffs?
The winner of Inter Miami-Nashville series will face No. 2 FC Cincinnati, which beat No. 7 Columbus Crew 2-1 in Game 3 earlier Saturday. Cincinnati would host No. 3 Inter Miami or No. 6 Nashville, whichever advances, in the conference semifinals.
Inter Miami vs. Nashville recent matches
Saturday will be the fourth match in as many weeks between Inter Miami and Nashville.
Decision Day:Messi had a hat trick in a 5-2 win for Inter Miami at Nashville on Oct. 18 to end the regular season.
Game 1: Messi scored twice with an assist in a 3-1 home win for Inter Miami on Oct. 24.
Game 2: Messi scored in the final minutes, but Nashville won 2-1 at home on Nov. 1. Nashville broke an 11-game winless streak against Inter Miami in the victory.
Messi’s upcoming schedule with Inter Miami, Argentina
Messi was called up by Argentina to participate in a November 14 friendly against Angola in the African country. The match occurs during the Nov. 10-18 FIFA international window. It’s possible Messi will travel for the match, even if Inter Miami advances to the next round of the playoffs.
MLS Cup playoff schedule
Nov. 22-23: Conference semifinals
Nov. 29-30: Conference finals
Dec. 6: MLS Cup Final
Inter Miami vs. Nashville betting odds
Here are the betting odds for tonight’s match during regulation, according to BETMGM.
Inter Miami: -165
Draw: +350
Nashville: +340
Over/under goals: 3.5 goals