Nashville SC delivered a devastating second-half display to beat Inter Miami CF 4-1 at GEODIS Park on Saturday night, with Hany Mukhtar scoring twice to inspire a statement MLS victory.
Andy Najar gave the home side an early advantage in the 17th minute, rising to head Nashville in front and reward a bright opening on home turf. Inter Miami responded before the interval, however, as Telasco Segovia struck in first-half stoppage time at 45+3′ to send the sides into the break level at 1-1.
That parity did not last long after the restart. Mukhtar restored Nashville’s lead in the 49th minute, setting the tone for a ruthless spell in which the hosts repeatedly punished Miami’s defensive vulnerability. Sam Surridge added a third in the 56th minute, before Mukhtar completed his brace in the 63rd minute to put the match beyond Inter Miami’s reach.
Nashville were clinical despite having less of the ball, finishing with 44.8 percent possession to Miami’s 55.2 percent. The hosts carried the greater attacking menace, recording 18 shots, eight on target and 10 corners. Miami managed 16 attempts and four efforts on target, but could not convert their territorial control into sustained pressure after the interval.
The visitors’ frustration showed as Lionel Messi was booked in the 59th minute, while David Ruiz received a yellow card in the 78th. Nashville also saw Surridge cautioned in first-half stoppage time, but the striker had the final word where it mattered most with his key second-half goal.
For Nashville, the result was built on an aggressive response after conceding late in the first half and a sparkling contribution from Mukhtar, whose goals at 49′ and 63′ transformed the contest. Inter Miami, meanwhile, leave Nashville with a heavy defeat after a match that was finely balanced at half-time but decisively tilted toward the home side after the break.
Goals: Nashville SC — Andy Najar 17′, Hany Mukhtar 49′, 63′, Sam Surridge 56′. Inter Miami CF — Telasco Segovia 45+3′.
