Atlanta United Fall 5 2 To Inter Miami

Lionel Messi Scores Twice in Inter Miami Debut

Atlanta United Fall 5-2 to Inter Miami

News Lead:

In his first start for Inter Miami, Lionel Messi scored two goals and assisted on another to lead his team to a 5-2 victory over Atlanta United in a Major League Soccer match on Wednesday night. It was the first loss for Atlanta United since Messi joined Inter Miami.

Messi opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a left-footed shot from outside the box. He doubled the lead in the 37th minute with a header off a cross from Gonzalo Higuaín.

Atlanta United pulled one back in the 55th minute through Thiago Almada, but Inter Miami restored their two-goal lead just four minutes later when Messi set up Alejandro Pozuelo for a tap-in.

Atlanta United scored again in the 65th minute through Luiz Araújo, but Inter Miami put the game away in the 79th minute when Leonardo Campana scored from close range.

The win moves Inter Miami into seventh place in the Eastern Conference standings, while Atlanta United remains in 11th place.