Inter Miami Roll Over Atlanta United
Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium hosted a Messi Delight as Inter Miami, the visitors, got the better of a struggling Atlanta United in a rollicking 3-1 Eastern Conference win a few hours ago.
Messi’s Class Turns A Tight Game Into A Procession
Lionel Messi needed just four minutes to stamp his class on the match. Inter Miami’s captain scored twice just after the break to turn a tight game into a procession, and the Herons beat Atlanta United 3-1 for their third straight win.
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Berterame Draws First Blood With A Messi Assist
It was tense until the stroke of halftime. Messi and Luis Suárez combined to set up Germán Berterame, who finished on 45 minutes for his ninth MLS goal. That assist was Messi’s 15th of the season, level with LAFC’s Son Heung-min at the top of the league table.
Messi’s Two Stunners
Then Messi took over. In the 56th minute, he weaved through the Atlanta defence and fired a left-footed shot from the centre of the box. It was pure, vintage Messi in a zone of his own. Four minutes later, he broke clear on a Suárez pass, left Júnior Alonso behind and beat Lucas Hoyos for 3-0. Game over.
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Picault Pulls One Back For Atlanta
Fafà Picault pulled one back from the penalty spot in the 89th minute, but it changed nothing.
The Stats Say It All
25 MLS goals this season, the most in the league
936 career goals
4 goals in 3 games since his Argentina farewell
First player in MLS history with 15+ assists in three straight seasons
Messi’s First Visit to Mercedes-Benz After The World Cup
This was also Messi’s first visit to the stadium since his two assists helped Argentina past England in the World Cup semifinal in July. Atlanta barely got a look at him.
Miami Looking Good To Keep The Title
With the playoffs close, Miami look like a team that wants to keep the title. Atlanta are stuck near the bottom of the East.
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