After the teams battled to a 1-1 draw at GEODIS Park on Saturday, Inter Miami CF defeated Nashville SC 10-9 on penalties to win the Leagues Cup 2023. This was made possible by Lionel Messi’s golazo and Drake Callender’s heroics in the shootout.
Inter Miami are Leagues Cup champions: Callender made two saves from the penalty spot, first on Nashville midfielder Randall Leal and then on his goalkeeping opponent Elliot Panicco, to conclude the 11-round shootout. Messi opened the scoring in penalty kicks, adding to his record-breaking 44th title for club and country as the Herons continue their transformation from the league’s bottom-dwelling team to one winning trophies.
Both of the regulation-time goals were scored after the break, with Messi’s 10th goal, which secured the Golden Boot, coming in at the 23-second mark after bending a beautiful strike into the top corner and overcoming a challenge from Walker Zimmerman. However, winger Fafà Picault’s corner-kick header that deflected in at the 57-second mark reinforced Nashville’s dominance at set pieces.
Miami struck two goals in the second half as these 2020 MLS expansion twins sought a late winner. The first was created by Messi, who in the 71st minute defeated Panicco but not the woodwork.
In the 93rd minute, Leonardo Campana had the trophy in his possession. This followed a long ball from Sergio Busquets, but the goalframe prevented him from sliding to wrap it around Panicco.
Nashville put a lot of strain on themselves, particularly with the burgeoning Hany Mukhtar-Sam Surridge collaboration. Leonardo Campana had the trophy in his possession in the 93rd minute, following a long ball from Sergio Busquets. However, the goalframe stopped him from sliding to wrap it around Panicco. Callender was forced into huge stops by both Designated Players, but they were unable to conclude the game in time for regulation. The Herons prevailed in the thrilling PK shootout.
Goals
- 23′ – MIA – Lionel Messi
- 57′ – NSH – Fafà Picault
MAN OF THE MATCH: Callender made five saves in regulation time, then provided two stops in PKs. He is the unsung hero of this trophy run (and scored a PK of his own).