Football

Inter Miami's unbeaten start to the season came to an abrupt end on Sunday as they succumbed to a 2-3 home defeat against Montreal. The absence of talisman Lionel Messi, who was sidelined with a shin injury, proved costly for the hosts.Montreal took the lead in the first half through Fernando Alvarez's header. Inter Miami equalized in the 71st minute through Leonarda Campana, but their defense faltered, allowing Matias Coccaro and Sunusi Ibrahim to score in quick succession.Despite the setback, Inter Miami showed some resilience, with Jordi Alba scoring a consolation goal reminiscent of Messi's brilliance. Alba received the ball on the edge of the box and curled a shot into the top corner.Assistant coach Javier Morales explained Messi's absence, stating that the Argentine is eager to play every game. Head coach Tata Martino expressed disappointment with the team's defensive performance, despite believing they deserved to win.Messi is expected to return for Inter Miami's CONCACAF Champions League Round of 16 second leg against Nashville. He will be keen to avoid fatigue and exhaustion ahead of the Copa America, where Argentina will defend their title.

Inter Miami's star-studded trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Sergio Busquets played a pivotal role in their hard-fought 2-2 draw against Nashville FC in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions League Round of 16 clash.Nashville dominated the first half, with Jacob Shaffelburg scoring a brace in the 4th and 46th minutes. However, Miami's fortunes changed in the second half as Messi and Suarez showcased their brilliance.In the 52nd minute, Suarez set up Messi just outside the Nashville box. The Argentine maestro used his trademark left foot to curl the ball past the goalkeeper, marking his first-ever CONCACAF goal.As the match entered injury time, Busquets delivered a pinpoint cross to Suarez, who headed home the equalizer in the fifth minute of stoppage time.Despite Nashville's strong start, Miami controlled the ball for much of the second half. However, coach Tata Martino acknowledged that his team's lack of intensity in the opening minutes of each half could have cost them the game.Nashville coach Gary Smith praised the intelligence and skill of Messi, Busquets, and Suarez, saying, "It's a completely different level of intelligence from the likes of Lionel Messi and Busquets and Suárez. Completely different level."The second leg of the tie will be played in Miami on March 15th, with Inter Miami needing a win or a draw with more than two goals to advance to the quarterfinals.