India, Nov. 9 -- Despite the absence of striker Luis Suarez, who was suspended last week for his violent on-field conduct, Lionel Messi's brilliance alone powered Inter Miami to a commanding 4-0 win over Nashville SC in their winner-take-all MLS playoff clash on Sunday night in Fort Lauderdale. Messi struck twice and set a new assist record as Miami clinched the best-of-three Eastern Conference first-round series 2-1, booking a second-round showdown with FC Cincinnati, who edged Columbus 2-1 in their decider.

The 38-year-old drew first blood when he found the back of the net in the 10th minute, after he took a deflected ball and raced to the top of the box and unleashed a left-footed shot into the lower right corner. With six minutes lef...