Lionel Messi scored to move to the top of MLS's scoring charts, but Nashville struck in stoppage time to deny Inter Miami victory, with the sides settling for a 2-2 draw at Nu Stadium on Sunday.
Nashville made the perfect start, with English striker Sam Surridge exploiting a gap in the offside trap before burying a low finish into the bottom corner inside just four minutes to give the visitors an early lead.
Miami levelled midway through the first half, with Messi once again heavily involved. His inswinging corner found the head of Nashville defender Reed Baker-Whiting, who could only glance the ball into his own net under pressure.
Messi then put Miami in front in the 62nd minute, exchanging passes with longtime Argentina teammate Rodrigo De Paul before curling a precise left footed finish beyond goalkeeper Brian Schwake from the edge of the area.
The 39 year old came close to extending Miami's advantage on multiple occasions, seeing one effort crash off the underside of the crossbar and another cannon back off the post, while a late chance was also cleared off the line by Nashville defender Jeisson Palacios.
Miami's failure to add a third proved costly, as Surridge struck again in the first minute of stoppage time, firing home from close range to snatch a share of the points for the visitors and deny Messi and his side a home win.
The goal took Messi's tally to an MLS leading 19 for the season, ending a two match scoreless run and extending his remarkable record against Nashville specifically to 17 goals in just 14 appearances across all competitions since joining Miami in 2023.
Alongside Messi at the top, the Golden Boot standings show Petar Musa of FC Dallas close behind on 18 goals, with Sam Surridge of Nashville FC a further four back on 15.
Rodrigo De Paul almost snatched a late winner of his own after Nashville's equaliser, seeing a shot strike the outside of the post in the closing stages as Miami pushed for a response that never quite arrived.
The draw leaves Miami nine points adrift of Nashville in the race for both the Supporters' Shield and top seeding in the Eastern Conference, with nine regular season matches remaining in the campaign.
Miami have now dropped points from winning positions at home on 11 occasions this season, a tally bettered only by New York City FC and CF Montreal, while the club continues to wait for Cristian Kily Gonzalez to formally take charge as head coach, having won just once in their last nine matches across all competitions.
Nashville, who joined MLS as an expansion side alongside Miami back in 2020, now find themselves in a strong position to secure their first ever Supporters' Shield.