Inter Miami won their first game against Atlanta United.

Inter Miami had a perfect start, scoring the opening goal in the very first minute through striker Suarez. A quick counter-attack down the left wing, initiated by Jordi Alba, allowed Diego Gomez to break free and deliver a precise pass to Suarez inside the penalty area, who unleashed a lightning-fast shot to score. Messi was still watching the game unfold at that moment.

Messi congratulates Suarez on scoring the opening goal of the match.

Coach Tata Martino fielded Inter Miami's strongest lineup, featuring the "super quartet" of Messi, Busquets, Suarez, and Jordi Alba. The outstanding attacking midfielder Diego Gomez also returned to the starting XI, alongside Federico Redondo and Yannick Bright. For Atlanta United, veteran goalkeeper Brad Guzan (40 years old, with many years playing in the English Premier League) guarded the goal, becoming the most significant defensive anchor for the visiting team.

After scoring an early opening goal, Inter Miami completely controlled the game and dominated the attack. Messi and his teammates, such as defender Marcelo Weigandt and Suarez, had several more opportunities to increase the score. However, goalkeeper Guzan played exceptionally well, and with a bit of luck on target, he saved Atlanta United from conceding further goals.

Inter Miami dominated their opponents for the first 30 minutes of the first half, but their failure to capitalize on scoring opportunities to increase their lead proved costly. Towards the end of the first half, Atlanta United gradually regained their composure and created several counter-attacking chances. In particular, a situation in the 39th minute led to their unexpected equalizer, making the score 1-1. The goal was scored by midfielder Saba Lobjanidze following a defensive error by Inter Miami.

In the second half, Inter Miami repeated their dominance. Messi and his teammates put strong pressure on Atlanta United's defense hoping to create a turning point in the match. However, their opponents set up a tight defense to prevent the combinations between Messi and Busquets.

Messi played with great effort, had many scoring opportunities, but either missed them or had them brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Guzan.

In a deadlock situation, Messi created an opportunity for Jordi Alba to make the difference for Inter Miami. In the 59th minute, from a pass by Messi outside the penalty area, Jordi Alba, who had joined the attack from a considerable distance, unexpectedly unleashed a powerful shot that beat goalkeeper Guzan, giving Inter Miami a 2-1 lead.

This decisive goal helped Inter Miami play more solidly compared to the first half. Messi had at least two more opportunities to increase the score, but the Atlanta United defenders and goalkeeper Guzan worked hard to thwart the 37-year-old's scoring chances.

Jordi Alba scored the winning goal for Inter Miami.

Although they didn't score any more goals, Inter Miami's 2-1 victory in the first of the three-game series in the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs gives them a temporary advantage over Atlanta United.

In their next match, Messi and his teammates will travel to face Atlanta United at the Mercedes-Benz Arena at 6 AM on November 3rd. If they win again, Inter Miami will secure their place in the next round.

If they lose, they will play a third match against this opponent at their home stadium, Chase, at 8:00 AM on November 10th, to decide their qualification. In these play-off matches, only the win-loss results of each game are considered; after 90 minutes, if the two teams are tied, a penalty shootout will be held.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/messi-kien-tao-cho-jordi-alba-ghi-sieu-pham-inter-miami-thang-atlanta-united-tran-dau-185241026100029647.htm