Lionel Messi had many chances to score a goal but kept getting stopped. However, in the end, he made a perfect pass to Jordi Alba, who scored the go-ahead goal in the 60th minute. Luis Suarez also scored, leading Inter Miami to a 2-1 victory over Atlanta United in the first game of the MLS playoff series.
Inter Miami, the No. 1 seed in the playoffs, faced a tough challenge from Atlanta United, who finished 34 points behind them in the standings. Saba Lobjanidze scored for Atlanta, and goalkeeper Brad Guzan made eight saves to keep his team in the game. The next match will be in Atlanta on November 2, with a potential third game in Fort Lauderdale on November 9.
Despite the pressure, Inter Miami coach Gerardo Martino remains confident in his team’s abilities. He acknowledged that Atlanta has been a tough opponent throughout the season and expects a difficult match in the upcoming games.
The game marked Messi’s MLS playoff debut and Inter Miami’s first-ever home playoff game. The match was sold out, as expected for a player of Messi’s caliber. The MLS even had a camera solely focused on Messi, streaming his every move on TikTok. Plans were in place to broadcast the game live in New York’s Times Square, but that was canceled.
Messi had several close opportunities to score in the first half but was denied by Guzan and the post. However, Suarez managed to score early in the game, giving Inter Miami a lead. Atlanta equalized before halftime, setting the stage for a tense second half.
In the 60th minute, Messi set up Alba for the go-ahead goal, leading to a jubilant celebration between the two players. Despite their victory, Inter Miami suffered a setback when Ian Fray, a South Florida native, had to leave the game due to an injury. The severity of Fray’s injury is unknown at this time.
As they prepare for the next game, Guzan emphasized the importance of staying positive and fighting back. He acknowledged that Atlanta has been in tough situations before and has always found a way to come out on top. Inter Miami will need to bring their A-game in the next match to secure a spot in the next round of the playoffs.
