Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi Fire Inter Miami into CONCACAF Champions Cup Quarter-Finals

Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi each delivered a goal and an assist as Inter Miami beat Nashville 3-1 on Wednesday night to qualify for the quarter-finals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

Both former Barcelona frontmen had also been on target in Tennessee last week when Miami came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 in the first leg.

Miami made a much better start in Florida.

The game was less than eight minutes old when a Suarez dummy allowed Messi to collect the ball 30 yards from goal before rolling a perfect pass to the Uruguayan, who beat the keeper with the outside of his right boot.

Captain Messi then scored himself to make it 2-0 midway through the first half with a powerful finish following an impressive run into the box from Diego Gomez.

With his side in a strong position, Miami boss Gerardo Martino opted to give Messi a rest and subbed him off five minutes into the second half.

But Suarez stayed on the field and set up Robert Taylor for Miami's third goal with a fine cross shortly after the hour-mark.

Hany Mukhtar thought he had scored an away goal for Nashville in the 80th minute but a VAR review eventually ruled that he had been offside.

Former Premier League striker Sam Surridge then scored legitimately in added time but Miami still prevailed 5-3 on aggregate and will play either FC Cincinnati or Monterrey in the last eight.

Highlights: Inter Miami 3-1 Nashville (5-3 on aggregate)

Luis Suarez (left) and Lionel Messi pictured celebrating a goal during Inter Miami's 3-1 win over Nashville in the CONCACAF Champions Cup

IMAGO/Icon Sportswire/Peter Joneleit