Nashville SC thrilling comeback falls short vs. Toluca in Leagues Cup

In a goal fest on Thursday at Geodis Park, Nashville SC lost a 4-3 thriller to Mexico's Deportivo Toluca FC in Group Central 4 of Leagues Cup.

Nashville's Leagues Cup group play is complete with a 1-1-0 record, worth three points, but can still advance to the Round of 32 knockout stage, as long as the Colorado Rapids — who Nashville beat, 2-1, on Sunday — doesn't beat Toluca by multiple goals during their game on Monday. Two teams from each group advance to the knockout stage. Nashville would take the second spot.

If the Rapids beat Toluca by multiple goals, Nashville won't advance and won't play its next MLS regular season game until August 20, hosting the New England Revolution.

Here's how the Nashville SC-Toluca goals happened.

Third minute

Walker Zimmerman leaped above the sea of red Toluca jerseys inside the penalty box and headed in Dan Lovitz' in-swinging corner kick to give Nashville the lead. The 6-foot-2 U.S. men's national team center back scored his third goal in all competitions on Thursday and his second header.

27th minute

Toluca center forward Marcel Ruiz tied the game with an easy tap-in goal six yards out, connecting with Maxi Araujo to complete the Red Devils' all-out sprint down the field after winning the ball back in its own half. Midfielder Jean Meneses collected the ball near the halfway line, dribbled well into Nashville's penalty box and patiently waited for Araujo to make the overlapping run. Nashville's Alex Muyl and Shaq Moore hadn't covered Araujo's run, leaving the winger's passing lane into the box wide open.

37th minute

Nashville winger Fafa Picault scored his sixth goal of the season in all competitions, starting with a loopy run around Toluca center back Adrián Mora, which forced the defender to do the splits on the turf as Jacob Shaffelburg's pass to Picault sped by him. Suddenly, Picault only had center back Valba Huerta and goalkeeper Tiago Volpi to beat. The Haitian-American faked right and dipped to his left foot, eluding Huerta, finessing the ball passed Volpi, into the bottom left corner.

44th minute

Ruiz scored his second goal on the night, rebounding a poor goal-line clearance by Nashville's Dan Lovitz. After Toluca's Robert Morales' shot displaced goalkeeper Joe Willis, Lovitz stood in his place. The poor clearance landed to Morales, who quickly passed the ball to an open Ruiz, located centrally inside the box. This time, the forward took a powerful shot, as the ball scraped the crossbar on the way in.

45th minute

Eight minutes into stoppage time, an anomaly occurred. Toluca earned a penalty, but an outfield player didn't take the kick — the goalkeeper did. Volpi, Toluca's designated penalty kick specialist, stepped to the penalty spot and converted, giving the Red Devils a 3-2 lead going into halftime.

Tolcua were given the penalty because Nashville's Alex Muyl was ruled for a handball, which was reviewed and confirmed by the video assistant referee (VAR) four minutes into stoppage time.

61st minute

Toluca's Robert Morales extended the Red Devils' lead, 4-2, following up a deflected ball from a teammate. Nashville's defense was caught out of position, unable to disrupt Morales.

70th minute

Nashville's Luke Haakenson sliced Toluca's lead with an up-close finish, thanks to Jacob Shaffelburg's low cross from the left flank, updating the score to 4-3.

For stories about Nashville SC or Soccer in Tennessee, contact Drake Hills at DHills@gannett.com. Follow Drake on Twitter at @LiveLifeDrake. Connect with Drake on Instagram at @drakehillssoccer and on Facebook.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville SC loses 4-3 vs. Deportivo Toluca FC in Leagues Cup