Lionel Messi scores as Inter Miami win against Atlanta United

In the 89th minute, substitute Fafa Picault scored his first goal for Inter Miami, Lionel Messi added his second goal of the regular season, and Inter Miami clinched a dramatic 2-1 victory over Atlanta United.

Despite making six saves, Atlanta’s goalkeeper Brad Guzan, who was a key player in the team’s playoff victory over Messi’s side in a best-of-three, round one MLS Cup series last year, held Miami to a victory.

With the help of Concacaf Champions Cup play, Messi scored on Sunday in his only previous regular-season game for Miami. The club has already played eight games and scored eight goals. Before coming off the bench for a 2-0 victory over Cavalier FC of Jamaica, the Argentinian star forward had missed three games because of muscle fatigue.

In the eleventh minute, Emmanuel Latte Lath gave Atlanta a first-half lead. His 60th career goal came in the same minute.

The match ended 1-1 at halftime with Messi’s 20th minute goal, which was unlikely to come until the diminutive Picault’s game winner, which was a chance that somehow missed Guzan and nestled inside the far-left post.

Picault, who left Vancouver this offseason to join his sixth MLS team, scored the game’s first goal.

Inter Miami is now leading the MLS Eastern Conference with 10 points after four games with three victories and one draw. Atlanta finished the season with just one win, one draw, and two losses.