Nashville midfielder Hany Mukhtar celebrates scoring a goal against Inter Miami during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
The Associated Press
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) - Hany Mukhtar scored two goals to reach 12 on the season and Nashville beat Inter Miami 5-1 on Wednesday night.
Nashville (11-3-11), coming off its third loss of the season, avoided dropping back-to-back games for the first time this year. Miami (9-11-5) has lost consecutive games following a six-match unbeaten run.
Mukhtar scored in the sixth minute. Alistair Johnston settled Dax McCarty's pass inside the 18-yard box and sent it over the defense for Mukhtar's one-touch redirection at the far post. In the 48th, Mukhtar raced to a loose ball at the penalty spot, took a touch and sent it into the empty net for a 3-0 lead.
Mukhtar is tied for fourth in scoring, trailing D.C. United's Ola Kamara by four goals for the Golden Boot award.
Walker Zimmerman made it 2-0 in the 39th minute. Miami goalkeeper Nick Marsman came out of his area for a loose ball, but AnÃbal Godoy got to it first and sent it across the goal Zimmerman's header.
Miami scored in the 64th when Gonzalo HiguaÃn finished a give-and-go with Rodolfo Pizarro. But Nashville answered six minutes later on Randall Leal's goal.
Johnston capped the scoring in stoppage time.
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Nashville midfielder Anibal Godoy heads the ball past Inter Miami midfielder Jay Chapman, during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
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Inter Miami defender Kieran Gibbs, left, and Nashville defender Alistair Johnston vie for the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
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Teammates reach out to congratulate Nashville midfielder Hany Mukhtar after he scored the side's first goal against Inter Miami during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
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Nashville head coach Gary Smith watches from the sidelines during the second half of an MLS soccer match against the Inter Miami, Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
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Nashville midfielder Hany Mukhtar shoots past Inter Miami defender Kelvin Leerdam, during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
The Associated Press
Nashville midfielder Hany Mukhtar left, holds back Inter Miami midfielder Rodolfo Pizarro as he goes for the ball, during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
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Inter Miami head coach Phil Neville talks to Inter Miami forward Julian Carranza on the sidelines during the second half of an MLS soccer match against Nashville, Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
The Associated Press