Lionel Messi scored his 19th MLS goal of the season, but Inter Miami were held to a 2-2 draw by Eastern Conference leaders Nashville on Saturday night.
Messi put Miami ahead 2-1 with a left-footed strike in the 62nd minute, but Nashville’s Sam Surridge scored his second goal of the match in the first minute of stoppage time to secure a draw.
The result extended Nashville’s unbeaten run against Miami to four matches this season and kept the club nine points ahead of second-placed Inter Miami in the Eastern Conference.
Nashville took the lead in the fourth minute when Surridge converted Andy Najar’s pass for his 14th goal of the season.
Miami equalized in the 19th minute when Nashville defender Reed Baker-Whiting put the ball into his own net from a corner.
Messi went close in the 27th minute when his shot from outside the box was blocked, before sending a free kick wide.
Rodrigo De Paul then set up Messi outside the penalty area in the second half, and the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner curled a left-footed shot into the bottom-left corner.
Miami were seeking revenge after suffering a 4-1 defeat to Nashville on Aug. 15. Nashville had also knocked Miami out of the Concacaf Champions Cup earlier this season.
Nashville will host Chicago Fire next Saturday, while Inter Miami will face Liga MX champions Cruz Azul on Wednesday in the Campeones Cup.