Inter Miami CF continues to shine brightly amid the early stages of the 2025 MLS season, as they rallied to secure a thrilling 2-1 victory against Atlanta United on Sunday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The match, attended by 42,843 fans, highlighted the team's resilience, with Lionel Messi making his scoring return and Fafà Picault sealing the win with a late header.
Right from the start, Atlanta United displayed their intentions, taking the lead just 11 minutes through forward Emmanuel Latte Lath, who capitalized on Brooks Lennon’s well-placed cross with a clinical header past Inter Miami’s goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo, marking Latte Lath's third goal of the season. The goal served as a wake-up call for the visitors, forcing them to respond quickly.
Messi, who had missed the last two matches due to fatigue, provided the equalizer for Miami just nine minutes after Atlanta's opener. A big part of the match's strategy, he intercepted the ball from Bartosz Slisz at the edge of the penalty area and expertly chipped it over Brad Guzan's reach, leveling the match at 1-1. This marked Messi’s first goal of the regular season and his fourth across all competitions for the year.
“Leo’s is a goal only he can do,” commented Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano post-game. “He is the best player in history. You can't say anything else. A player who has the capacity to make the most beautiful goals.”
Despite conceding early, Inter Miami leaned heavily on Messi's creativity and pressing ability. The team demonstrated significant quality throughout the match, maintaining pressure on Atlanta's defense with several attempts from Messi, who took seven shots with five on target, showcasing his eagerness and sharpness following his brief absence.
Ríos Novo, too, rose to the occasion, making key saves, including two breathtaking stops against Saba Lobjanidze and Tristan Muyumba, keeping Miami competitive as they pushed for the winner. The match remained evenly contested, with both teams carving out chances but failing to capitalize until the final moments.
Substituting Picault for Allende and Federico Redondo for Bright proved to be the game's turning point. Picault, who had previously missed significant playing time due to hamstring issues, made his presence felt dramatically when he scored the game-winning goal just before regulation time expired. Assisted by Jordi Alba, Picault out-jumped Atlanta's defenders to head home the decisive goal, marking his first official goal for the club and putting Miami at the summit of the Eastern Conference.
The impact of this victory extends beyond the scoreline. With the win, Miami extended their unbeaten streak to eight matches across all competitions. They now sit at the top, boasting 1.78 expected goals (xG) as they continue to show their quality early on this season.
“The desire,” remarked Picault when asked about the team's spirit. “We have a lot of heart. I think you have big-name players, but they're here for the grind, and you can see it.” He emphasized the unity within the squad and how the mix of experience and youthful energy has been integral to their performance.
Looking forward, Inter Miami will be resting before facing the Philadelphia Union at home on March 29, 2025, as they aim to continue their strong form and maintain their position at the top of the standings. Meanwhile, Atlanta United will look to snap their three-match winless streak when they travel to face FC Cincinnati on March 22, 2025.
Messi's performance, particularly after returning from injury, is expected to provide inter MIami fans with optimism. His continued ability to influence matches at this stage of the season signals not only his form but also the team's prospects as they pursue their first MLS Cup under the spotlight of their high-profile roster.