NASHVILLE — Lionel Messi scored early in regulation, then converted the first attempt of a shootout to settle a 1-1 draw as Inter Miami CF beat Nashville SC 10-9 on penalty kicks in the Leagues Cup final Saturday night.
Messi scored midway through the first half, his 10th goal in seven games since joining Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami — all in the Leagues Cup competition — as his new team won its first trophy three years after first taking the field.
The penalty kicks ended in the 11th round in a showdown between the goalkeepers. Drake Callender converted his penalty for Miami, then made the title-clinching stop on a shot by Nashville’s Elliot Pannico.
Miami players hoisted Messi on their shoulders and had an extended celebration on the field long after the trophies had been handed out. Tata Martino, who took over as coach in June when Phil Neville was fired after 2 1/2 seasons with the club, credited newcomers such as Messi, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets for quickly jelling with the team.
“We had to incorporate a lot of new players, but I’m very impressed how it came together,” Martino said through a translator.