An 89th-minute goal from Lionel Messi proved too little, too late as Nashville SC defeated Inter Miami 2-1 on Saturday, keeping their MLS Cup round one playoff hopes alive.

First-half goals by Sam Surridge and Josh Bauer gave Nashville control at a rainy Geodis Park in Tennessee, and despite the efforts of Argentine superstar Messi, Miami couldn’t muster a response.

Surridge opened the scoring in the ninth minute with a penalty, slotting a low shot to the right of diving Miami goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo. The penalty was awarded after Rios Novo hesitated in coming off his line against a charging Surridge.

Bauer doubled Nashville’s lead just before halftime, sliding in a left-footed shot from a corner delivered by Hany Mukhtar.

Miami began the second half with determination, but Luis Sua

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