LONDON (SPA)

Lionel Messi scored twice as Inter Miami booked their place in the MLS Cup second round with a 4-0 win over Nashville.

Having shared the first two games in the best-of-three playoff series and gone out at this stage last year, Miami wrapped up the decider with two goals in each half.

Messi scored twice in the first period to put the hosts on top, with Tadeo Allende grabbing two in four second-half minutes to seal the victory.

Having scored 13 goals in his previous nine matches against Nashville, Messi added to his tally after 10 minutes when he collected a loose pass in midfield and fired into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.

He added a second six minutes before the break when the Nashville defence missed a through ball and Mateo Silvetti squared for the Argentina forward to slide the ball into an empty net from almost the same position.

Sam Surridge had a goal ruled out for Nashville at the start of the second half for a foul and the visitors rarely threatened to cut the deficit again.

Jordi Alba and Messi set up Allende to score his first after 73 minutes, Messi turning provider again for the fourth.

Miami will face FC Cincinnati, who finished level on points with them in the Eastern Conference, after they booked their place in the straight knockout second round with a 2-1 win over Columbus.