Atlanta United endured a demanding match against Inter Miami, characterized by brief periods of offensive ambition countered by the clinical precision of their high-profile opponents. Atlanta's young lineup showed moments of defensive resilience early on, with goalkeeper Jayden Hibbert making several spectacular saves, but a costly turnover in the first half allowed the hosts to break the deadlock. Despite launching a high press after the break, Atlanta quickly conceded a second goal via a precise lobbed pass that shredded the backline. Miami continued to capitalize on quick counter-attacks and exploited space behind the defense, eventually adding to their tally twice more. Atlanta's forwards struggled to convert their limited clear-cut chances, ultimately leaving the team unable to salvage a result despite some courageous individual efforts.
In the first 45, Messi broke the deadlock against resilient Atlanta
Inter Miami dominated the match's opening five minutes, pressing high and testing the nerves of a young Atlanta United lineup. However, the seasoned presence of players like Stian Gregersen (wearing the captain's armband for the first time) and Tristan Muyumba, both veterans of high-stakes matches against Miami, managed to successfully close off key spaces for Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez.
Atlanta United quickly noted the speed of its fullbacks and forwards.
In the eighth minute, Dominik Chong Qui created the first clear chance for either team with a shot on goal. Jamal Thiaré recovered the ball deep in Atlanta's half and launched a counter-attack, connecting with Cooper Sánchez, who found Emmanuel Latte Lath near Miami's box. The Ivorian forward spotted Chong Qui driving toward the opposite wing; the left-back then struck a clean left-footed shot from outside the box that was saved by Rocco Ríos Novo.
Messi, struggling to find space against Atlanta's crowded defense, finally found an opening in the 13th minute. His shot, taken while entering the box and marked by three defenders, was calmly saved by a well-positioned Jayden Hibbert.
Two minutes later, Atlanta was forced into an immediate adjustment. While attempting to clear a ball in the midfield, Gregersen suddenly went down, grabbing his right thigh. Coach Ronny Deila had to substitute his captain for Sal Mazzaferro, marking the defender's official MLS debut after having previously played in the Leagues Cup.
Miami had its best chance to open the scoring in the 21st minute. Sergio Busquets delivered a long, lobbed pass into the box for Messi. The Argentine brought the ball down with his chest and immediately took a quick, point-blank shot, but Hibbert stretched his entire body to make an impressive, spectacular save.
The deadlock finally broke in the 39th minute.
Muyumba, who had taken the captain's armband following Gregersen's injury, lost possession in his own half to Baltasar Rodríguez, who instantly yielded the ball to Messi. Settling for his traditional left-footed strike at the edge of the box, Messi curled the ball into the net at the opposing angle, beating a helpless Hibbert.
Hibbert was called upon again in the 43rd minute, saving another powerful, close-range shot by Messi after a poignant cross from Tadeo Allende. Moments later, Hibbert again saved a shot from Suárez following a through ball, though the play was ultimately called offside. The two former Barcelona teammates connected one last time in the third minute of added time, with Messi sending a chipped ball to Suárez, whose first-time shot struck the crossbar.
Atlanta created one final chance just before the half. Steven Alzate passed to Sánchez, who opened up space for Leo Afonso. Afonso's first-time right-footed shot forced a diving Ríos Novo to send the ball out for a corner kick.
In the second half, Miami's reaction seals the victory
Atlanta came out of the break with a spirited high press, but this tactical aggression was quickly countered by Miami's precision. In the 52nd minute, Messi delivered an impressively precise lobbed pass from his own half, aimed perfectly at the run of Jordi Alba. The Spanish fullback sped past the defense and, exploiting Hibbert's slightly dubious positioning, skillfully chipped the goalkeeper to score the second goal of the match.
Moments later, Atlanta missed a golden opportunity to cut the deficit. Afonso raced down the right wing and sent a crisp cross to the middle of the box, where Thiaré was flying in, but the Senegalese forward frustratingly whiffed the shot.
Miami continued to ruthlessly exploit their counter-attacks and scored a third in the 61st minute. Messi connected with Suárez, who initially lost the ball, but Fafa Picault quickly recovered for Miami and sent a cross that was headed out by Amador. The clearance fell directly to a well-positioned Suárez, who, even while falling, struck an immediate right-footed shot that found the back of the net.
In an effort to fight back, Atlanta finally attempted the chipped through balls that should have leveraged their forwards' acceleration over Miami's defense. Alzate sent a ball over the top to Latte Lath, who tried to lob Ríos Novo, but the shot narrowly sailed over the goal.
Due to physical discomfort, Afonso was substituted in the 70th minute by Cayman Togashi, who positioned himself as a third forward on the right. In the 84th minute, Sánchez also departed with discomfort, giving way to Patrick Weah.
Miami continued to insist on finding another goal, and in a play similar to Alba's earlier strike, the Spaniard returned the favor to Messi. Alba sent a lobbed through ball from his own half to find Messi, who, after chesting the ball down and positioning himself, managed a left-footed shot that beat Hibbert to finalize the 4-0 scoreline.
Atlanta United remains in the 14th position of the Eastern Conference with 27 points with one more match to go, next Saturday at home s D.C. United (6:00 pm | View tickets). With the win, Inter Miami secures home field advantage for the Round 1 of the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, and it's third in the Conference with 62 points.
