Lionel Messi missed a penalty for the third consecutive time as Inter Miami suffered a 4-1 defeat to Eastern Conference leaders Nashville SC, extending their losing run to three matches.

Messi had a chance to equalise in the 23rd minute after Andy Nájar had put Nashville ahead, but his low effort was saved by goalkeeper Brian Schwake. Sergio Reguilón converted the rebound, only for the goal to be ruled out for encroachment following a VAR review.

It was Messi's third successive penalty miss, a run that had not happened to him since 2014, according to ESPN Research. He missed twice for Argentina at this summer's World Cup, against Austria and Egypt.

Miami levelled in first-half stoppage time when Messi set up Telasco Segovia, who finished after some neat footwork.

Nashville, however, took control after the break, with Hany Mukhtar scoring twice either side of Sam Surridge's back-heeled finish. Mukhtar then completed his hat-trick late on after Miami goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo came out of his area and failed to deal with a long clearance.

Messi was booked after protesting for a foul in the build-up to Nashville's third goal and was denied by both posts before having a late goal ruled out for offside.

Messi returned to the starting XI after missing two matches following the death of his father, Jorge, last week. Miami visit Philadelphia Union on Wednesday.