Messi Scores as Inter Miami Secures Dramatic Late Win Over Atlanta United
ATLANTA – Fafà Picault netted an 89th-minute winner, and Lionel Messi scored his first goal of the MLS regular season as Inter Miami CF edged Atlanta United FC 2-1 on Sunday.
Miami (3-1-0) overcame a stellar performance from Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan, who made six saves. Guzan had played a key role in Atlanta’s upset of Miami last fall, helping eliminate Messi’s squad in the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs with a 3-2 victory in the decisive match of their best-of-three series.
Messi, making just his second regular-season start of the campaign, put Miami on the board in the 20th minute. The Argentine legend, who had been sidelined for three matches due to muscle fatigue, returned to the starting lineup after coming off the bench in Miami’s 2-0 Concacaf Champions Cup win over Cavalier FC on Thursday.
Mascherano Praises Messi and Picault
“Leo’s goal—he’s the best player in the history of this sport, there’s nothing more to say,” Miami manager Javier Mascherano said after the game. “He has the ability to score the most beautiful goals you can see. And Fafà’s goal makes us very happy for him. We’ve had a tough three weeks with him being out, but he’s come back and made a big contribution.”
Atlanta (1-1-2) struck first through Emmanuel Latte Lath in the 11th minute, but the home side couldn’t build on their early lead. The team has now gone three straight matches without a win after opening the season with a victory over Montreal.
Both sides created chances for a second-half winner, but it was Picault’s late heroics that sealed the match.
Picault’s Late Winner
Jordi Alba set up the decisive goal from a short corner, delivering a perfectly placed cross to the back post. Picault outmuscled Ajani Fortune and directed a header bouncing across goal, wrong-footing Guzan and tucking the ball inside the far-left post. It was Picault’s first goal for Miami, having joined from Vancouver in the offseason—his sixth MLS club.
How the Goals Unfolded
Atlanta’s opening goal came from a well-orchestrated attack initiated by Miguel Almirón, who played a precise ball over the top to Brooks Lennon. Lennon then delivered an excellent cross that Latte Lath powered home with a back-post header past Rocco Ríos Novo.
Latte Lath thought he had doubled Atlanta’s lead just minutes later, but his effort was ruled offside. Miami responded immediately, capitalizing on defensive pressure from Messi.
Guzan initially disrupted a cross from the right, but Messi caught Bartosz Slisz off guard, dispossessing him as Atlanta attempted to play out from the back. The World Cup winner then dribbled past a sliding Derrick Williams before delicately chipping an advancing Guzan to equalize.
Mascherano on MLS Growth
Mascherano also shared his admiration for the growing quality of MLS.
“I followed Inter Miami closely because, as Argentines, we all watch Miami. But I wasn’t paying much attention to other teams, and I was surprised by the level of play,” he said. “There are many teams with strong tactical identities and players who could compete in Europe. Some of our own players have really impressed me.
“I like this league. I like its organization, the way everything works. It allows me to focus on coaching and preparing my team.”
What’s Next
Atlanta United will travel to face FC Cincinnati on Saturday, while Inter Miami has a break before hosting the Philadelphia Union on March 29.