Messi has 3rd straight penalty miss as Inter Miami crash 2026

Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami nightmare deepened on Saturday, August 15, 2026, as MLS leaders Nashville SC routed Miami 4-1 at first-place Nashville—and the defining moment arrived early. Messi missed a penalty in the 23rd minute, sending it low toward Brian Schwake’s right, with the goalkeeper making the save for a match that never truly tilted back in the side’s favour.

August 15, 2026: Messi misses again—then Miami lose the momentum

The arc of this MLS match turned on one strike: Messi’s penalty in the 23rd minute. ESPN match coverage shows Schwake saved low to his right side, with the rebound followed up by Sergio Reguilón—but the goal was disallowed after a video review for encroachment. That combination matters because it doesn’t just deny a score; it blocks the immediate “reset” that usually follows a saved spot kick.
The official match page lists the final as Nashville 4-1 Miami, and it also tags Messi’s penalty attempt with 0.79 xG and 0.00 xGOT—a clean snapshot of how the keeper got it exactly right. ESPN coverage of the incident is also where the “third straight miss” storyline gets its weight, with Messi failing to score on three consecutive penalties for the first time since 2014, according to ESPN Research. For a captain who typically shapes big moments, that’s a brutal run to carry into the next league stretch.

Messi’s low placement was saved well, and the team’s rebound push was nullified—turning a missed penalty into a momentum swing for Nashville.

August 15 turning points: Segovia’s reply, Reguilón denied, and late chaos

Inter Miami’s lone goal came from Telasco Segovia, and Messi was involved in the build-up as he also provided an assist. The match records also show Messi was booked with a yellow card in the 59th minute, adding pressure to an already fracturing rhythm. Then came the kind of attacking volatility that defines late MLS matches: in the final moments, Messi struck both posts in quick succession, and he also had a goal ruled offside before the whistle.
That last part is important for how we read the overall performance. Messi wasn’t simply missing chances—he was repeatedly finding positions where outcomes could swing. But on this day, the decisive margins went Nashville’s way, whether through the penalty save and disallowed rebound or through the late post strikes and the offside call.

Supporters’ Shield impact: Nashville stretch lead to five points

The tactical and emotional cost of a third consecutive penalty miss shows up in the table, not just the highlight reels. Nashville’s win widened its advantage over Inter Miami to five points in the Supporters’ Shield race, according to the verified match coverage. In a tight campaign, that kind of gap doesn’t just feel like breathing room—it changes how aggressively the squad can chase games.
Messi’s penalty drought in MLS adds a final layer of context: this was his first penalty miss in MLS since September 13, 2025, per ESPN’s match reporting. So if we’re searching for a “trend,” it’s not that Messi has been broken all season. It’s that, for the last three spot-kick attempts, the finishing margins have deserted him at the worst possible times—right when the team needed answers on the scoreboard.

What’s next: Miami’s penalty question and Shield pressure

Here’s the thing: Miami’s immediate next steps won’t just be about recovering from a 4-1 defeat; it’s about how they protect momentum after big chances swing away. With Messi’s third straight penalty miss and a match that included both posts plus an offside denied, the side will likely address decision-making in the penalty preparation process and the immediate follow-up play after spot-kicks—because the Reguilón rebound being ruled out shows how quickly those moments can unravel.
Nashville now holds a five-point cushion in the Shield race, so every dropped detail becomes amplified. For the team, the forward-looking task is clear—turn “near misses” into scoreboard pressure before the gap becomes too big to hunt down. For the latest match updates and MLS coverage. espn.com.

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FAQs

What happened to Messi’s penalty in Miami vs Nashville?

Lionel Messi missed a penalty in the 23rd minute against Nashville on August 15, 2026. Nashville goalkeeper Brian Schwake saved it low to his right, and Sergio Reguilón’s rebound was disallowed after a video review for encroachment.

Why was the rebound goal ruled out?

The rebound by Sergio Reguilón was ruled out due to encroachment, after the match officials reviewed the play via video.

How many penalties has Messi missed in a row?

This was Messi’s third straight penalty miss, and it was the first time since 2014 that he failed to score on three consecutive penalties, according to ESPN Research.

Did Messi score or assist after the miss?

Yes. Inter Miami’s only goal was scored by Telasco Segovia, and Messi also assisted that goal.

What does the result do to the Supporters’ Shield race?

Nashville’s 4-1 win widened their advantage over Inter Miami to a five-point lead in the Supporters’ Shield race.