Lionel Messi scored twice in four minutes as Inter Miami won 3-1 at Atlanta United in MLS on Saturday, after Germán Berterame’s late first-half header, to move to 55 points from 30 games and stay second in the Eastern Conference.
ATLANTA, Oct 17 — Inter Miami beat Atlanta United 3-1 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in MLS, with Messi’s goals in the 56th and 60th minutes settling the game after Berterame scored on the stroke of half-time.
Berterame, then Messi twice
Berterame put Miami ahead in the 45th minute, heading in a Luis Suárez cross at the back post as the last touch of the first half. Messi made it 2-0 in the 56th minute with a left-footed finish after a one-two with Berterame. Four minutes later, in the 60th minute, he ran onto a pass from Suárez, dribbled past a defender and finished into the bottom corner. Atlanta pulled one back in the 89th minute, when Fafà Picault scored a penalty.
Cards and chances
Atlanta’s Tomás Jacob (44th minute), Mauricio Amaro (54th) and Breel Embolo (71st) were booked, as were Miami’s Maximiliano Falcón (88th) and Messi (90+6). Atlanta had 21 shots to Miami’s seven, but Miami scored three of their chances.
Messi’s numbers
Messi now has 25 MLS goals this season, the most in the league, and 15 assists, level with LAFC’s Son Heung-min at the top of that chart. He became the first MLS player with at least 15 assists in three consecutive seasons. Goal.com put his career total at 936 goals. Miami coach Kily González said it was hard to believe what Messi is doing at 39.
Table and next game
Miami are second in the Eastern Conference on 55 points from 30 games, and Atlanta are 14th of 15 on 30 points. It was Miami’s third straight win. They visit the New York Red Bulls next Saturday, Oct 24, and Atlanta host Chicago Fire.
Result: Atlanta United 1-3 Inter Miami (MLS, Mercedes-Benz Stadium). Miami: Berterame 45′, Messi 56′, 60′. Atlanta: Picault 89′ (penalty).
