Ethermac Exchange-Is Messi playing tonight? Inter Miami vs. Nashville Champions Cup stream, live updates

FORT LAUDERDALE,Ethermac Exchange Fla. — Lionel Messi has arrived for Inter Miami’s match against Nashville SC in the second leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup matchup tonight. 

Here’s the latest on Messi: He is in the starting lineup, announced about an hour before the 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff.

Messi practiced on Tuesday after missing Sunday’s Inter Miami game against CF Montreal as a planned rest day. Inter Miami lost their first game of the MLS season, 3-2.

But Wednesday’s game has more at stake: The winner advances to the quarterfinals of the Concacaf Champions Cup. Inter Miami and Nashville SC played to a 2-2 draw in the first leg last week.

USA TODAY Sports will provide live updates from tonight’s Inter Miami-Nashville SC Concacaf Champions Cup match. 

How to watch Inter Miami vs. Nashville SC live stream

The Inter Miami vs. Nashville match kicks off at 8:15 p.m. ET on FS2 in English and TUDN in Spanish. 

WATCH: Messi and Inter Miami vs. Nashville SC in the Concacaf Champions Cup on Fubo

TICKETS: See Messi and Inter Miami in person vs. Nashville SC

SHOP: Get the latest Messi and Inter Miami gear from the MLS Store

Starting 11s for Inter Miami, Nashville SC

Lionel Messi, as well as his former FC Barcelona teammates Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, are in the starting lineup for Inter Miami. Alba started Sunday's game, while Busquets and Suárez came on as second-half substitutes.

For Nashville SC, Taylor Washington starts in place of two-time MLS Defender of the Year Walker Zimmerman, who suffered a knee injury in last week's Concacaf Champions Cup game vs. Inter Miami.

Messi arrives for Inter Miami vs. Nashville SC

All smiles from Messi and he walked into Chase Stadium for tonight’s match.

Inter Miami vs. Nashville score predictions

Safid Deen, Lionel Messi reporter, USA TODAY:

Inter Miami 3, Nashville 2: Messi and Luis Suárez need to lead the way again for Inter Miami, but they won’t trail from the jump like the first leg. Still, Nashville will be persistent and test Miami like they have in three previous matchups. 

Jacob Shames, Nashville SC beat writer, The Tennessean:

Nashville 2, Inter Miami 1: Why not? Messi or no Messi, Nashville has done a better job defending him than most MLS teams have done, and is starting to get its own attack healthy and rolling.

Messi is a 'conundrum' for Nashville coach Gary Smith

Nashville will face Messi for the fourth time — the most of any opponent since he joined Inter Miami and MLS.

Nashville coach Gary Smith has praised Messi each time, and said Tuesday defending Messi a “never-ending conundrum.”

“You try to set up a group to try and limit what he’s able to do. He’s proved throughout his career, at the very best levels,” Smith said. “No matter how good you are defensively or how organized you are, the caliber of the individual will always find a way.”

What does Inter Miami need to advance in Champions Cup? 

Inter Miami needs an outright win, or a 0-0 draw or 1-1 draw to advance. 

What does Nashville need to advance in Champions Cup? 

Nashville needs an outright win, or a draw with the score of at least 3 goals to advance.

What if Inter Miami and Nashville need a tiebreaker in Champions Cup? 

If the aggregate score, or the results of both matches added together remains tied, away goals will work as the first tiebreaker. 

If Inter Miami and Nashville play to another 2-2 draw Wednesday, they will play extra time. If the score remains tied, it will be decided by penalty kicks. 

What's next for the Inter Miami-Nashville winner?

The Inter Miami-Nashville winner will face either LIGA MX side C.F. Monterrey or MLS side FC Cincinnati, the 2023 Supporters’ Shield winners. 

Monterrey has a 1-0 lead in the aggregate, and hosts Cincinnati in the second leg on Thursday night in Mexico.

The quarterfinals for the Concacaf Champions Cup will be held April 2-11.

What is Messi and Inter Miami’s upcoming schedule? 

Messi will likely play his final match of the month with Inter Miami on Saturday, before joining Argentina for two Copa America warmups later this month. 

Inter Miami visits D.C. United on Saturday. Then, Messi will join Argentina for a match against El Salvador in Philadelphia on March 22, and Costa Rica in Los Angeles on March 26. 

Messi could miss two Inter Miami games: Inter Miami vs. New York Red Bulls on March 23 and Inter Miami vs. New York City FC on March 30 for rest purposes.