Mascherano Frustrated as Miami Loses 2-1 to Nashville, Game 3 Awaits
Nashville SC held off Inter Miami and Lionel Messi to claim a 2-1 victory on Saturday night, forcing a decisive third match in their MLS playoff first-round series. The home side took advantage of early momentum and the support of their fans to contain Miami, who struggled to create clear-cut opportunities. The Football Breakdown, will discuss the complete information below, check this out.
Inter Miami’s Argentine captain, Messi, continued his fine playoff form by scoring, but his efforts were not enough to turn the tide. Despite a late surge from Las Garzas, the team couldn’t find the equalizer, leaving the series finely balanced ahead of Game 3. The result sets up a high-stakes showdown next week, where Miami will need to respond under pressure to advance.
The victory highlighted Nashville’s resilience, as they absorbed Miami’s attacking threat and executed counterattacks effectively. Their defensive discipline frustrated the visitors throughout the match, forcing Miami to rely on individual brilliance rather than cohesive play.
Mascherano Questions Officiating
Miami manager Javier Mascherano expressed his frustration over refereeing decisions after the loss, particularly the failure to consult VAR on a controversial penalty conceded by goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo.
“I’d rather not comment on the refereeing. I know how the system works, and I don’t want to give anyone an excuse to come after me. But I’m surprised they didn’t go to VAR—the tool is there, and I don’t understand why they didn’t use it,” he said.
While cautious in his comments, Mascherano made it clear that the officiating left him perplexed. The decision could have significantly altered the match dynamics, and Miami were left feeling hard done by as they aim to recover in the decisive game.
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Struggles in Attack
Mascherano admitted that his team struggled to connect with Messi in dangerous positions during the first half, limiting their attacking threat. “We couldn’t find Leo in good positions in the first half—we weren’t precise in the final third, and credit to the opponent for that,” he noted.
Even in the second half, when Nashville dropped back to defend their lead, Miami created more chances but failed to capitalize on them. The lack of sharpness and timing in the attacking moves proved costly in a match of such importance.
The manager urged his players to stay positive despite the setback and focus on correcting mistakes ahead of the decisive showdown.
Focus on Game 3
Looking forward, Mascherano stressed the importance of regrouping and channeling frustration into determination. “We have to swallow the anger and carry it with us all week so we can release it next Saturday,” he said.
He also highlighted the need for unity in tough moments: “In tough moments like this, that’s when I want to be closest to my players. It’s about standing together after a painful defeat.”
The decisive Game 3 promises to be a high-pressure contest, with Miami needing to combine tactical discipline, sharper attacking play, and resilience to overcome Nashville and progress in the playoffs. Also take advantage of your free time to explore more of the latest MLS news by simply clicking on footballtipsonline.co.uk.
