Inter Miami superstars Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez were in the thick of things in their CONCACAF Champions Cup clash against Nashville. The first leg of this round of 16 tie ended in a 2-2 draw played at Geodis Park.
However, the comeback to secure a draw was not the main focus. Messi and Suarez were involved in come-together with Nashville midfielder Anibal Godoy.
Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez have a go at Anibal Godoy
The game between Nashville and Inter Miami was progressing in interesting fashion in the second half. The hosts were leading 2-1 around the 66th minute, with Miami pushing forward in attack. Lionel Messi carried the ball towards the edge of the box and was marked by Panamanian midfielder Anibal Godoy.
While there was no tackle made, it seems the pair exchanged words as the Argentine slowly dribbled before picking a pass. Messi even attempted a shot which Godoy attempted to block from behind. Something in the latter’s actions angered Messi, who squared up to the midfielder. Luis Suarez was quick on the scene and joined-in to back his long-time friend and teammate.
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As per reports, the arguments between Lionel Messi and Anibal Godoy were about stoppage of play. Godoy complained that Inter Miami did not stop play when a Nashville player was injured. This angered Messi, who argued Nashville did the same when the Argentine was down.
While the issue seems small, there probably was some underlying tension that was brought up through this incident.
Inter Miami comeback to secure draw
Nashville made an electric start to the game and raced into a 1-0 lead after four minutes. Shaq Moore assisted Jacob Shaffelburg for the team’s opening goal. The winger was on target again early in the second half as he scored to make it 2-0 after an assist from Sean Davis.
Lionel Messi then produced a moment of magic to bring Inter Miami back into the contest. He received the ball from Luis Suarez on the edge of the box and caressed it into the top-left corner to make it 2-1 after 52 minutes.
Suarez then took matters into his own hands in second-half stoppage time. He received a pass from Sergio Busquets and scored to make it 2-2 in the 95th minute to secure a last-gasp draw.
Inter Miami will host Nashville at the Chase Stadium for the second leg on April 21.
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