Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi propel Miami into the CONCACAF Quarterfinals

With a 3-1 (5-3 aggregate) victory against Nashville on Wednesday, Inter Miami advanced to the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals with goals from Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi.

After setting up Suarez for the game’s first goal in the eighth minute, Messi found the goal himself in the twenty-third.

However, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner was replaced in the 50th minute, and Robert Taylor’s header in the 63rd minute secured the victory.

In the quarterfinals, Miami, which is participating in the tournament for the first time, will take on the victor of Thursday’s second leg between FC Cincinnati of the MLS and Monterrey of Mexico.

With a 1-0 advantage from the first leg, the Liga MX squad is at home.

Nashville had taken a two-goal lead in the first leg in Tennessee, but goals from Messi and Suarez spurred a 2-2 tie.

And while Miami seized control right away, it was the former Barcelona duo that once again proved to be the difference.

When Messi was pulled down on the outside of the box, he had a clear chance to take a free kick from a central position, but his attempt hit the wall.

However, a few minutes later, Messi set up the goal, slicing open the Nashville defense with a brilliant pass to Suarez, who finished with aplomb that matched the accuracy of the assist.

Although the spotlight is drawn to the experienced foursome of Barcelona players on the Miami squad, which also includes Spaniards Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, the youthful midfield powerhouse Diego Gomez has grown in importance.

The second goal was generated by Paraguay’s strong sprinting in the 23rd minute. Gomez raced hard into the area and then deftly slid inside to find Messi, who first buried the ball into the corner.

Nashville had not produced much, but Daniel Lovitz’s left-foot volley against the post gave Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender a scare.

Five minutes after the half, Messi was substituted for Taylor by Miami coach Gerardo Martino, who did not seem to be suffering from an injury.

Nashville gained momentum once the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner left, and they attacked with genuine determination. The callender had to make a fantastic save from point blank range to stop Lukas MacNaughton.

However, Suarez’s exquisite ball into the area towards Taylor, who curled in his header to make it 3-0, put an end to any hope of a Nashville comeback.

English striker Sam Surridge provided a late consolation after Nashville’s Hany Mukhtar’s shot was disallowed for offside.

Earlier, Herediano of Costa Rica advanced to the round of eight with a 1-1 draw against Robinhood of Surinam, enough for a 3-1 victory overall.

In the latter game on Wednesday, Club America will play Chivas Guadalajara at home while protecting a 3-0 first-leg lead. This is an all-Mexican match.