Inter Miami traveled to Atlanta United for Matchday 4 of the 2025 MLS season at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, seeking to continue their strong start to the new campaign. The match, which kicked off at 7 PM ET on March 16, 2025, promised to be thrilling, especially with the return of star player Lionel Messi, who had missed three previous matches due to injury.
Before the game, Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano confirmed Messi was cleared to play after impressively coming off the bench against Cavalier SC, where he scored the opening goal during the second leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup. "The plan was for him to play 30 to 35 minutes, and it went well," Mascherano had said, clearly pleased with his star's progression.
Miami entered the game with seven points, reflecting two wins and one draw, placing them second in the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, Atlanta United, who eliminated Inter Miami from the playoffs last fall, sat at 11th place with only four points. They aimed to regain confidence after faltering against stronger opponents earlier this season.
The first half started with Atlanta taking the lead at the 11th minute. Emmanuel Latte Lath headed home from a brilliant cross by Brooks Lennon, putting the home side 1-0 up.
Despite the early setback, Inter Miami quickly rallied. Just nine minutes later, Messi showcased his brilliance by dispossessing Atlanta's Bartosz Slisz, skillfully dribbling past Derrick Williams, and calmly chipping the ball over goalie Brad Guzan. Messi's goal, his first of the MLS season, showcased not just his individual brilliance but also the fighting spirit of the team.
The match was tense, with several scoring opportunities falling on both sides. Messi continued to make his presence felt, creating chances, even as Atlanta tried to counter. The first half ended with the score leveled at 1-1, with both teams heading to their respective dressing rooms to make tactical adjustments.
Crossing over to the second half, both squads demonstrated increased urgency. Messi and Luis Suárez consistently worked together to break through Atlanta's defense, but the home side's backline held firm.
Atlanta's struggles were compounded by their inability to find the back of the net again, with Latte Lath, who had previously secured victory for his team early this season, failing to replicate his scoring against Miami. The game turned increasingly physical as both sides fought fiercely for control, leading to several yellow cards being issued.
With the clock ticking down and tensions rising, Inter Miami found themselves with another chance. A key moment came just before the end when substitute Fabrice Picault, nicknamed 'Fafa,' headed home from a Jordi Alba cross, putting Miami up 2-1 in the 89th minute. The contribution of the substitutes was pivotal, underscoring Miami’s squad depth.
Despite Atlanta’s attempts to equalize during the added time, they were unable to penetrate Miami’s resilient defense, and the match ended with Miami victorious, claiming their third win of the season with the final score of 2-1.
Miami’s triumph set the stage for its next matches as they face Philadelphia Union, currently sitting second with nine points, on March 29. Just days later, on April 3, they will encounter Los Angeles FC for the quarterfinals of the Concacaf Champions Cup.
The results maintain Inter Miami's strong start to the 2025 MLS season and signal their intention to contend for the title. The match against Atlanta was not just about points; it was also about revenge and proving they could come back stronger than before following last season’s playoff exit.
Looking forward, Messi's health will continue to be pivotal for the Herons. With their upcoming busy schedule, staying fit and focused will be imperative for the squad as they aim for glory on both domestic and international fronts.
Atlanta United, on the other hand, faces uncertainty as they try to regroup and find their form after suffering this latest setback. They will need to analyze their performance and address their offense to remain competitive.