Messi scores twice as Inter Miami CF beats Atlanta United 3–1

Atlanta creates the first opening

Atlanta created the first chance when Miguel Almirón found Breel Embolo, whose shot was blocked by Miami’s defense. Inter Miami attempted no shot in the opening 20 minutes. In the 41st minute, Lucas Hoyos saved Lionel Messi’s free kick and launched an Atlanta counterattack.

Berterame heads Miami ahead

Germán Berterame supplied the breakthrough in the 45th minute, heading in Suárez’s cross from the right. The goal gave Miami a one-goal advantage to take into halftime.

Messi provided the secondary assist on the opener. That contribution made him the first MLS player to reach 15 assists in three consecutive seasons, adding a milestone to Miami’s first-half breakthrough.

St. Clair denies Almirón before Messi’s brace

Atlanta had a chance to equalize in the 51st minute. Embolo released Almirón, but Dayne St. Clair used his right leg to deny the attempt.

Messi then doubled Miami’s lead after exchanging passes with Berterame, entering the left side of the box and finishing left-footed. His second goal followed an outside-foot pass from Suárez: Messi beat a defender and finished into the bottom-right corner, completing his brace and putting Miami three goals ahead.

Picault converts late for Atlanta

A prospective Miami handball penalty in the 69th minute was rescinded after video review identified an earlier foul. Atlanta’s Matt Edwards struck the post in the 86th minute, with the rebound bouncing away from goal.

Substitute Fafa Picault earned a late penalty and converted in the 89th minute. St. Clair got a glove to the low shot, but Atlanta’s deficit remained two goals at the final whistle.

Miami finished with a third consecutive victory, having outscored its opponents by a combined 9–1 across those three wins.