Messi On Target As Miami Down Atlanta

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With a 2-1 victory that lifted Inter Miami to the top of Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference standings on Sunday, Lionel Messi made amends for last year’s playoff defeat to Atlanta United.

In the 89th minute, veteran Haitian international Fafa Picault scored the winning goal to give Miami a priceless victory that extended their unbeaten start to the season.

Despite one of the biggest upsets in MLS history, Miami was shocked to be eliminated from the playoffs by Atlanta in the previous season.

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After a stellar goalkeeping display from veteran Brad Guzan had kept Miami at bay throughout, the final match at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium looked set to end in a draw in front of 42, 843 spectators.

Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami FC squares Aleksey Miranchuk #59 of Atlanta United in Atlanta, Georgia during the MLS game between Atlanta United and Inter Miami FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 16, 2025. Todd Kirkland/GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Todd Kirkland/GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/Getty Images via AFP)

However, when the 34-year-old Picault was picked out by an endearing cross from former Barcelona star Jordi Alba, Miami won.

Picault leapt high and nodded a downward-facing header past the far post, beating Guzan’s despairing dive.

Atlanta had already returned from their previous defeat last year, sweeping Miami with an 11th-minute goal from Ivory Coast international Emmanuel Latte Lath.

After taking a touch and crossing for Latte Lath, whose header slammed into the net, Brooks Lennon latched onto a powerful pass from Miguel Almiron down the right flank.

However, Messi punished Atlanta’s poor defending to equalize on 20 minutes before the ballon reached Miami without having to wait for the goalkeeper.

After winning the MLS game between Atlanta United and Inter Miami FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 16, 2025, Telasco Segovia #8 of Inter Miami FC celebrates with teammate Lionel Messi #10 CF. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/Getty Images via AFP)

Messi spotted Bartosz Silsz in possession on the edge of the area, darting in to nick the ball off the Polish midfielder before jinking past Derrick Williams and dinking a lovely finish over Guzan.

In the second half, Rocco Rios Novo, the Miami goalkeeper, who was born in Paris, saw a rasping long-range effort tipped onto the woodwork by Atlanta’s Paris-born midfielder Tristan Muyumba.

In the 65th minute, Guzan prevented the Miami star with an outstretched leg, which he made from Messi in the end of a string of saves.

Nashville SC defeated second-placed Philadelphia Union 3-1 in other MLS games on Sunday to claim third place in the Eastern Conference.

Los Angeles Galaxy, the defending Western Conference champions, won their first game of the season against Portland to earn a 1-1 draw. With just one point from four games, Galaxy is still at the bottom of the standings.