Messi has 3rd straight penalty miss as Nashville routs Miami - ESPN

Lionel Messi missed his third penalty in a row as Inter Miami suffered a third consecutive loss in a 4-1 rout at first-place Nashville SC on Saturday.

Messi had a chance to equalize at 1-1 for Miami in the 23rd minute but saw his effort from the spot saved by Nashville goalkeeper Brian Schwake low to his right side. Sergio Reguilón put in the rebound but it was disallowed for encroachment after a video review.

It is the first time since 2014 that Messi has failed to find the net on three straight penalty kicks, according to ESPN Research. He missed both his attempts for Argentina during this summer's World Cup, against Austria in the group stage and in the round of 16 against Egypt.

It was Messi's first penalty miss in MLS since Sept. 13, 2025.

Miami did get back level after Andy Nájar's 17th-minute opener at Geodis Park when Messi picked out a pass to Telasco Segovia, who displayed some clever footwork before finding the net in first-half stoppage time.

But Nashville ran riot early in the second half. Former MLS MVP Hany Mukhtar scored twice, either side of a clever back-heeled finish from striker Sam Surridge.

Messi cut an increasingly frustrated figure and appealed strongly to the referee that he had been fouled in the buildup to Surridge's goal to make it 3-1, earning himself a yellow card.

That it was not Messi's night was only confirmed in second-half stoppage time. First, he was denied by both posts in the same attack, and when he did get the ball in the goal it was ruled out for offside.

Miami, though, contributed to its own downfall on the match-clinching fourth goal. Miami goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo slipped and was left stranded well outside his penalty area to let a long kick forward from his Nashville