Messi brace fuels Miami over Nashville in MLS Cup series opener

Argentine icon Lionel Messi netted a brace to propel Inter Miami to a 3-1 triumph against Nashville SC on Friday, marking the first match of their MLS Cup round one playoff series.

Tadeo Allende also found the net for Inter, securing a 1-0 advantage in the best-of-three encounter, with the second game set for Nashville on November 1.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or recipient Messi received the Golden Boot trophy prior to kick-off, having led the regular-season goal scorers with 29 strikes in 28 appearances.

He quickly showed his worth, opening the scoring for Miami with a diving header from a Luis Suarez assist in the 19th minute.

Sergio Busquets had won possession near the touchline and fed the ball to Rodrigo De Paul.

De Paul spotted the advancing Messi, who passed to Suarez on the right flank before surging ahead to finish after Suarez returned the ball.

Allende extended the lead to 2-0 in the 62nd minute with a header assisted by Ian Fray.

Messi sealed the result in the 99th minute when Nashville goalkeeper Joe Willis advanced to claim a delivery from the left but spilled it, allowing Messi to tap in.

This rendered Hany Mukhtar's effort in the 11th minute of added time merely a consolation.

The win follows Messi's announcement of a three-year extension yesterday, binding the 38-year-old to Florida until 2028.

This news delighted MLS commissioner Don Garber, present to hand over Messi's Golden Boot.

"We could never have foreseen that Leo would impact this club, this city, and this league so profoundly," Garber remarked.

"He has transformed the path of Major League Soccer, and we were already progressing strongly. Three additional years will be yet another boon."