Substitute Fafà Picault netted a goal for Inter Miami CF in the 89th minute, while Lionel Messi scored for the first time this MLS regular season, leading to a thrilling 2-1 win against Atlanta United FC on Sunday. Miami (3-1-0) celebrated their victory despite Atlanta’s Brad Guzan making six crucial saves. Guzan had previously played a key role in his team’s upset against Messi’s squad during the opening round of the MLS Cup playoffs last fall, where Atlanta eliminated Miami with a surprising 3-2 win in the decisive match. Messi’s goal on Sunday came in the 20th minute of only his second regular-season game for Miami, which has already played eight matches due to Concacaf Champions Cup commitments.
The World Cup champion returned to the starting lineup after missing three games because of muscle fatigue, having come off the bench in a 2-0 victory against Cavalier FC of Jamaica on Thursday night. “Leo’s goal speaks for itself; he’s the greatest player in the history of this sport, and there’s nothing more to add,” said Miami manager Javier Mascherano after the match. “He has the talent to score the most stunning goals. Fafà’s goal also brings us great joy, especially after the tough three weeks we’ve had with his absence. We’re really pleased.”
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He has come to share his experience in this league, and he has done so with humility, collaborating with the team and knowing when to step up in crucial moments. We are truly pleased to have him on board. Messi’s debut followed Mascherano’s defense of his star player’s early-season involvement. Emmanuel Latte Lath netted his third goal in the 11th minute, giving Atlanta (1-1-2) an early advantage. However, his teammates have only managed to score a single goal collectively, as Atlanta’s winless streak has now reached three matches since their season opener victory against Montreal. Both teams had numerous opportunities to secure a winner in the second half, but it was the unexpected header from the smaller Picault that ultimately determined the outcome of the match. Jordi Alba received the ball wide from a late, short corner and delivered an outswinging cross to the back post. Picault outmuscled Ajani Fortune and directed a header that bounced back across the goal, catching Guzan off guard and finding the net inside the far-left post. This marked Picault’s first goal for his sixth MLS team, having joined Miami from Vancouver during the last offseason.
Miguel Almirón ignited the attack for Atlanta by delivering a superb ball over the top to set up Brooks Lennon on the right flank, who then sent in a fantastic cross that Latte Lath converted with a powerful header into the back of the net, beating Rocco Ríos Novo.
Just moments after the 15-minute mark, Latte Lath thought he had scored again, but the goal was disallowed for offside. Miami quickly equalized on their next offensive push. Guzan rushed off his line to intercept an initial cross from the right, but Messi caught Bartosz Slisz off guard with some unexpected defensive pressure, stealing the ball as Atlanta attempted to build from the back. Messi then skillfully maneuvered past a sliding Derrick Williams and delicately chipped the oncoming Guzan. Mascherano expressed his admiration for MLS, noting the significant improvement in the league’s quality and its players during his brief tenure as Miami’s coach.
“I really focused on Inter-Miami because, like many Argentines, I kept an eye on them. However, I was surprised to find that I wasn’t paying attention to other teams,” Mascherano shared. “There are several teams with excellent strategies that they implement effectively. I’ve started to meet players in this league who possess a high skill level and could easily compete in European leagues. In fact, some of our players, whom I may not have noticed before, have truly impressed me now that I’ve gotten to know them better.”
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)
