Lionel Messi scored a brace in the second half to lead Inter Miami CF to a 3-1 victory over Atlanta United FC on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, a result that marks the team's third consecutive win in the 2026 MLS regular season.
The match started off evenly, with Atlanta demonstrating solid defense during the first forty minutes. However, the game took a turn in the final moment of the first half, when Germán Berterame headed in a precise cross from Luis Suárez to make it 0-1 before the break.
The official report from Atlanta United summarized it clearly: "The first 45 minutes were a period to be proud of, and it seemed they would head into halftime with the score tied. But Berterame headed one in with one of the last touches of the first half, sending the match on a completely different trajectory."
In the second half, Messi took control. First, he played a give-and-go with Berterame, cut into the left side of the box, and beat the goalkeeper Lucas Hoyos with a low shot with his left foot to make it 0-2.
Minutes later, the third arrived: Suárez delivered a pass with the outside of his foot that left the Argentine captain in a sprint. He surpassed a defender and placed the ball in the bottom right corner to complete his brace and seal the match.
The discount came toward the end when the substitute Fafa Picault converted a penalty against his former team. According to the Atlanta United report, "his shot was strong and low, and St. Clair's glove couldn't stop it." The final score, 1-3, remained unchanged.
With this double, Messi reached 25 goals in the regular season of the MLS 2026, extending his lead in the league's scoring title race. Additionally, the assist he recorded on Berterame's goal allowed him to reach 15 assists in the championship, becoming the first player in MLS history to provide at least 15 assists in three consecutive seasons.
Suárez, for his part, recorded two assists in the match to reach 12 for the season, and became the second player in the club's history to achieve 100 goal contributions —goals plus assists— with Inter Miami.
Berterame also had a complete night: he added his ninth goal and his tenth assist in the regular season. Although Atlanta dominated in shots (21 to seven), Inter Miami was more effective with the ball, holding 54.1% possession, and goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair made a crucial save midway through the second half to maintain the lead.
With this victory, Inter Miami accumulates 55 points with a record of 15 wins, five losses, and ten draws, holding the second position in the Eastern Conference. The team's next match will be on Saturday, October 24, against Red Bull New York in Harrison, New Jersey.
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