Inter Miami Beats Atlanta United 2-1, Messi’s Second-Half Goal Decides the Match
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi had chances at goals time and time again, only to keep being denied. Turns out, all he needed to do was deliver the right pass at the right time.
Jordi Alba Turns a Pass from Messi into the Go-Ahead Goal
Jordi Alba turned a pass from Messi into the go-ahead goal in the 60th minute, Luis Suarez also scored and Inter Miami beat Atlanta United 2-1 on Friday night in the opening game of a best-of-three first-round Major League Soccer playoff series.
Inter Miami’s Victory Not Easy to Come By
It was not the easiest of openers for the Supporters Shield winners, the No. 1 overall seed in the MLS Cup playoffs — a team that set a league record with 74 points in the regular season, 34 points ahead of wild-card Atlanta in the standings.
Saba Lobjanidze Scores for Atlanta
Saba Lobjanidze scored for Atlanta, which got eight saves from goalkeeper Brad Guzan. Game 2 will be Nov. 2 at Atlanta — the last road game of the season, no matter what, for Inter Miami. Game 3, if necessary, will be Nov. 9 in Fort Lauderdale.
Inter Miami’s First-Ever Home Playoff Game a Success
Inter Miami’s first-ever home playoff game and Messi’s MLS playoff debut was sold out — Messi games almost always are, everywhere in the world — and MLS even had a camera isolated on him throughout the match, streaming that view on TikTok. There were plans to also show the match live on a massive screen in New York’s Times Square; that ended up getting called off, with Apple scheduling a viewing of another match there.
Messi Knows It Won’t Be Easy
Atlanta was the only team that beat Inter Miami when Messi was in the lineup this season, and it was almost like the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner — and finalist for MLS MVP honors — knew it wouldn’t be easy.
"It gets settled on the field," Messi said in an interview taped before the playoffs, one that MLS teased on social media and said will be distributed on its Season Pass platform. "Anything can happen in a match."
The Score Remains 1-1 Until the 60th Minute
And for 60 minutes, the scoreboard said these teams were even. Suarez scored with the match barely a minute old, and Messi had three high-quality chances later in the half. Messi’s left foot nearly made it 2-0 after six minutes; Guzan had to sprawl to his right to barely deflect the shot away. Messi found a bit of space and fired again in the 26th minute; this time, Guzan punched it over the crossbar. And in the 29th minute, it wasn’t Guzan that denied Messi — it was the post. The rebound came to Inter Miami’s Marcelo Weigandt and his shot got punched away by Guzan.
The Turn of the Game
If not for Guzan, it could have been 2-0, 3-0, maybe even 4-0 at that point.
Lobjanidze Scores and the Game is Tied 1-1
Instead, it was 1-1 at intermission. Lobjanidze got behind the defense and beat Drake Callender from close range in the 39th minute, and Atlanta — which won at Chase Stadium in May — was all square going into the second half.
Messi’s Direct Kick Nearly Gives Inter Miami the Lead
In the 52nd minute, Messi’s direct kick from 25 yards nearly gave Inter Miami the lead again but curled just wide of the post to Guzan’s left. The breakthrough came about eight minutes later, with Messi getting lifted into the air by Alba in celebration after the goal.
Conclusion
Inter Miami’s victory not only gives them the upper hand in the series but also shows their ability to adapt and bounce back from early challenges. With Messi and Alba leading the way, Inter Miami will look to build on this momentum and seal their spot in the next round of the playoffs.
FAQs
Q: What was the score in the first game of the MLS Cup playoffs between Inter Miami and Atlanta United?
A: Inter Miami won 2-1.
Q: Who scored for Atlanta United?
A: Saba Lobjanidze scored for Atlanta United.
Q: Who scored for Inter Miami?
A: Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez scored for Inter Miami.
Q: What was the key moment in the game?
A: Jordi Alba turning a pass from Lionel Messi into the go-ahead goal in the 60th minute.
