Lionel Messi showed his class once again, scoring twice and assisting two more as Inter Miami beat Nashville SC 4–0 in a must-win playoff match. The win helped Miami reach the MLS Cup Playoffs semifinals for the first time in the club’s history.

Messi opened the scoring in the 10th minute after a defensive mistake. He added a second goal before halftime, thanks to a smart pass from teammate Mateo Silvetti. Tadeo Allende scored twice in the second half, both times with help from Messi and Jordi Alba. Even without striker Luis Suarez, who was suspended, Miami dominated the game. Messi was involved in all eight of Miami’s goals across the three-game series—scoring five and assisting three.

Nashville, who made the playoffs for the third year in a row, were knocked out again in the first round. They had a goal ruled out early in the second half, and couldn’t recover. Inter Miami will now face FC Cincinnati in the Eastern Conference semifinal. It’s a big test Messi has never scored against Cincinnati, but Miami’s confidence is high after this historic win.