Inter Miami - Atlanta United summary: goals, stats and highlights | MLS
Inter Miami - Atlanta United: As it happened
Atlanta United batter sub-par Inter Miami
Going into the game Inter Miami were on a ten-game unbeaten run in MLS. Atlanta, meanwhile, hadn't won in their last nine.
And yet, this being MLS, Atlanta United put in one of the performances of the season and came away from Chase Stadium with a well-deserved 3-1 victory to ignite their floundering campaign.
Saba Lobjanidze gave them a two-goal lead with a stunning brace, before Lionel Messi halved the deficit from the edge of the box. Inter Miami pushed for a leveller but Jamal Thiare found a third for Atlanta, finishing off a fine team move.
As the game wore on Inter Miami looked increasingly unconvincing and Atlanta United ran out comfortable winners.
Atlanta United celebrate stunning win
Inter Miami brought the whole squad and Atlanta United, who hadn't won in nine games, duly took them apart. Sensational performance from Gonzalo Pineda's men to outplay the Supporters' Shield leaders in their own backyard.
How important could this victory be for Atlanta?
Peeep peeeeeep peeeeeeeep
Inter Miami are beaten at home and Atlanta United have a massive road victory. They came into the game looking for a momentum-turning victory and they've got it, what a performance from Gonzalo Pineda's team!
We're into the final minute of the seven. Suarez has offered almost exactly nothing for the past half hour and appears to be getting in the way, as much as anything.
Jordi Alba clips a cross into the box but it's straight into the hands of Josh Cohen.
Final knockings now for Inter Miami. Lionel Messi tries to make space for a shot but his effort is deflected wide.
Jordi Alba's corner kick is head clear, Atlanta United are nearly there now. What a performance it's been from Gonzalo Pineda's men.
Caleb Wiley comes forward again for Atlanta United. He makes space for a shot but it's comfortably saved by Callender.
Atlanta United come close to a fourth!
It's Atlanta United who start added time on top, playing the ball around neatly in the Miami half.
Muyumba battles into the Miami penalty box and makes space for a shot but it's fired just wide of the post.
The crowd crowd is stirred by news of seven minutes of added time at the end of the second half. Seven minutes to save Inter Miami's unbeaten run.
Weigandt curls in a cross from the right but no one can connect for Inter Miami. It's looking a little desperate now.
Big chance for Mosquera!
The Atlanta United man should seal it! He shows brilliant feet to skip past Kryvtsov but he can't beat Callender from close range.
Inter Miami are pushing everyone forward now and they are so exposed at the back. Atlanta have a chance to break but Kryvtsov gets back to intercept.
Can they muster a dramatic late comeback?
Brilliant from Edwin Mosquera to charge through the Miami defence and make space for a shot, which he scuffs wide.
In the build-up to that change Tomas Aviles put in a pretty agricultural tackle on Giakoumakis, having already been booked. He avoids a second yellow, fortunately.
Double change for Atlanta United now.
Dax McCarty and Jamal Thiare are off. Giorgos Giakoumakis and Ajani Fortune come on.
Atlanta mount another counter-attack and send Jamal Thiare through on goal. He beats Tomas Aviles easily but fires his shot over the crossbar.
A big chance for the visitors to seal the game there!
Thiago Almada does brilliantly again to skip past Miami tackles and inside from the left. He makes space for a shot but fluffs his effort, sending it well wide of the target.
Inter Miami are looking a little desperate now, struggling to build any real cohesion in their play.
In contrast Atlanta United are playing with a real confidence. Thiago Almada is flitting around the midfield, helping his team maintain possession.
And we're into another water break now, a final chance for Tata Martino to make major changes for his team.
Luis Abram gets a fierce Rojas shot straight to the head and will have to looked at by medical staff.
It looks like he'll be ok, but may need to be substituted.
Nope, all good! Atlanta United take a 3-1 lead in South Florida.
Hold on, was it offside? We're having a look at VAR...
GOOOOOOOAAAAL! Jamal Thiare
The hosts retake a two-goal lead and it's a sensational team move. Almada, Wiley and Thiare combine brilliantly, with the latter nudges the ball home from close range!
Inter Miami are throwing plenty of players forward but they're looking a little shapeless now, with countless attack-minded players crowded around the Atlanta United box.
They could do with working the ball outside more quickly to make space, because there's precious little of that in central areas.
As we approach the final 20 minutes of added time you sense that there is still a long way to go in this game. Inter Miami are starting to find their attacking groove but they look very vulnerable at the back.
Watch: Lionel Messi fires Miami back into the game
Here we go, we have lift-off at Chase Stadium. Inter Miami have not been at their best tonight but they're back within one of Atlanta United. Plenty of time still to play.
There's so much space in this game now, a situation that will surely benefit a team with Inter Miami's attacking quality. Luis Suarez looks worryingly immobile now, but he has done all season and that hasn't seemed to make much difference so far.
He pounces on a loose ball now spins in the box, prodding an effort goalwards. Cohen gets down to save.
And now Inter Miami come forward again. The ball is worked to Mathis Rojas 30 yards from goal and he forces a good save from Josh Cohen.
We're into a frantic period of the game now and Thiago Almada darts through the Miami midfield and into the box, just running out of space at the crucial moment. What a game we have now!
GOOOOOOAAAAAAL! Lionel Messi
Instant response. Lionel Messi takes aim from 20 yards and fires, unerringly, into the bottom corner.
2-1, game on!
GOOOOAAAAL! Saba Lobjanidze
It's that man again! Another brilliant strike from the edge of the box but it was creative by Thiago Almada.
The visitors have a two-goal lead!
Lovely stuff from Thiago Almada, spinning past challenges on the edge of his own box and spraying the ball out to the right flank.
First change of the game and it's from Inter Miami. Mathis Rojas comes on for Julian Gressel.
Tomas Aviles (Inter Miami)
The defender is booked for a foul on Jamal Thiare.
Lionel Messi finds a pocket of space on the edge of the box and fires low. Josh Cohen saves comfortably.
This one's starting to heat up now, the noise in Chase Stadium is growing.
Atlanta United have a very promising counter-attacking opportunity. Jordi Alba appears to foul Jamal Thiare on the halfway line but, incredibly, a free kick is awarded to the Miami defender.
Thiare is not happy about that decision and squares up with Alba. You have to feel some sympathy with him there!
Luis Suarez crumbles under a slight touch in the penalty box, looking for a foul. Nothing doing, says the referee.
Miami come forward again and win a corner kick.
Redondo and Messi try to exchange passes in the midfield but Atlanta close them out, congesting that central space and making it impossible to play through.
Impossible for most players, at least.
Lionel Messi seemed to use his hand to bring down a cross-field pass but no foul is called. No matter, Atlanta United win the ball back and Lobjanidze does brilliantly to bring the ball upfield and earn his team a free kick.
Inter Miami string together a few passes on the edge of the Atlanta box, clearly trying to up the tempo now. Busquets is playing a little higher, attempting to dictate the pace for the Herons.
Sharp feet from Thiago Almada at the start of the second half, doing well to skip past Jordi Alba near the corner flag.
And we're back!
The second half is underway in South Florida.
Inter Miami need second half comeback to preserve record
The Herons came into this game on a ten-game unbeaten streak and, with all four of their superstars available, were expected to ease past out-of-form Atlanta United. That's not been the case and Miami need a big second half showing.
Watch: Lobjanidze long-ranger fires Atlanta ahead
The visitors have a shock lead courtesy for Saba Lobjanidze, who broke the deadlock shortly before the halftime break. Inter Miami controlled the ball in the first half but Atlanta probably had the better of the chances.
Watch: Luis Suarez comes closest for Inter Miami
It was not a stellar 45 minutes from the Herons but we did see glimpses from their superstars. Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez were both heavily involved in this opportunity, drawing a sharp save from Josh Cohen.
Peep peeeep peeeeeeep
With one final, wayward Luis Suarez shot the first half is brought to a close.
Atlanta are halfway to a shock win at DRV PNK Stadium.
It's Atlanta who look the most likely! Lobjanidze breaks on Miami again and fires in a teasing cross but there's no one to connect in the middle.
We'll have two minutes of added time. Can Miami level things before the break?
GOOOOOOOAAAL! Saba Lobjanidze
Sensational! The Atlanta forward is 20 yards out and thrashes the ball right into the top corner. The visitors lead!
Atlanta are starting ending the half strongly, manufacturing a sharp counter-attack on Miami and forcing a four-on-four situation. The ball is laid back to Almada but he takes too long on the ball and loses it.
Frustrating for the visitors.
As we approach halftime Atlanta United will be very happy with how the first half has gone. They've kept Miami at arm's length, making themselves difficult to break down.
Wahey! Brilliant from Tristan Muyumba to nutmeg Redondo on the halfway line. Moment of the first half, there.
Federico Redondo clips a long ball forward towards Luis Suarez but Josh Cohen does well to come out and claim the aerial ball.
The Atlanta keeper has looked solid so far.
Atlanta United are certainly not scared of shooting here. They've had little of the ball but have already racked up 13 attempts on goal.
However, none have been particularly close to finding the back of the net.
Hello! Jamal Thiare does brilliantly to spin on the halfway line and sprints in on the Miami backline.
He is initialyl repelled but Atlanta come straight back with Caleb Wiley on the right flank. He works it back to Thiago Almada, who tries his luck from the edge of the box. Easily saved by Callender.
Atlanta are still posing a threat here.
Good stuff from Inter Miami as they knock the ball around on the edge of the box. Nothing too penetrative, nothing to worry Cohen yet, but you sense a big chance is coming.
Messi and Taylor combine well on the edge of the box and win their team a corner kick.
The anticipation is building now, the home crowd are waiting for that moment of breakthrough.
Derrick Williams climbs highest, but he's penalised for his overly-physical approach. He's won a lot of aerial duels already, though. That could be a good avenue for Atlanta tonight.
We're back at it after that short pause and Atlanta are back on the attack, winning a corner kick.
Let's see what they can muster...
We'll have a brief water break now. A necessity on this sweltering Miami evening.
Jamal Thiare tries an acrobatic bicycle kick for Atlanta United but he can't make a clean reaction.
It looked good, though.
Inter Miami are starting to build up a head of steam now, as Messi is narrowly dispossessed in the box.
The hosts are pushing Atlanta back and starting to turn the screw at DRV PNK Stadium.
The corner kick is played short. Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba combine to nod the ball across to Suarez in the middle, who can't quite connect.
Federico Redondo tries his luck from distance. It's headed clear by Derrick Williams and out for an Inter Miami corner kick.
Messi to take.
Brilliant footwork from Luis Suarez to glide past three defenders, into the Atlanta box, before he is dispossessed.
Luis Abram comes close for the visitors
Another Atlanta corner, this time it's Almada.
The cross finds it's way through to Luis Abram at the back post and he forces a sharp save from Callender.
Tristan Muyumba tries his luck from the edge of the box and it's deflected out for a corner kick.
The corner kick nearly falls for Muyumba again but the Atlanta midfielder air-kicks and the ball is cleared.
Lionel Messi tries another clipped ball over the top, this time for Robert Taylor. It's a little overhit and the Finn can't connect.
Luis Suarez forces sharp save
Redondo and Busquets pinch the ball of Muyumba in midfield and Miami are away. Messi skips pass Dax McCarty and the ball is worked to Suarez on the edge of the box.
Suarez tries to curl one into the far corner but Josh Cohen is equal to it.
Thiago Almada dances through the Miami midfield - past Busquets, past Redondo - before being stopped by Aviles. Good work from the Atlanta captain.
Inter Miami are started to purr now. First bit of brilliance from Lionel Messi, he floats a delicate chipped through ball forward toward Alba in the box.
The Spaniard can't quite control it and the chance goes begging.
Lovely turn from Almada on the edge of the Miami box.
The ball is worked back to him and he tries to curl one past Callender from 25 yards. It took a little bounce before the Argentine struck it and it flies out for a goal kick.
Inter Miami get their foot on the ball again as the noise in DRV PNK Stadium increases.
obert Taylor wins his team a free kick midway into the Atlanta half but it's taken short by Miami and wasted.
Thiago Almada's free kick is poor and it's easily claimed by Callender.
Redondo is penalised for a clumsy challenge on Muyumba. The Atlanta midfielder has started well.
Visitors have a free kick on the right wing. Almada to take...
Atlanta United fire just wide
Another good attacking move from the visitors finds Brook Lennon in space from a tight angle on the right. He arrows the ball towards the far post but it whistles just wide. Close from Atlanta.
Saba Lobjanidze lofts a ball forward on the edge of the box, searching for Thiago Almada. He tries to nod the ball into the path of Jamal Thiare but he can't reach it.
Atlanta enjoy a spell of possession now, looking to play their way into the game. Muyumba is building the play in the midfield.
Luis Suarez is clipped on the left touchline, winning a free kick for his team.
From the start it looks like Inter Miami are playing a 4-2-3-1 formation today. Redondo and Busquets as a midfield duo, with Messi just in front. Taylor and Gressel look to be playing as wingers, with Suarez down the middle.
Messi comes close with a header!
Jordi Alba curls in a cross from the left and Lionel Messi looks to nod a diving header past Josh Cohen. Messi aims down but his effort bounces up and over the crossbar.
Tomas Aviles comes under pressure from Jamal and he gives the ball away cheaply with a lazy clipped pass forward.
Muyumba flies into a tackle on Busquets.
Atlanta are not giving Miami time on the ball at the back, making life uncomfortable as the hosts try to play out.
Sergi Kryvtsov is penalised for an early foul on Jamal Thiare. Positive start from the visitors.
And we're off!
We're underway at DRV PNK Stadium...
Atlanta United hoping to pull off a shock
Few will give Gonzalo Pineda's team much hope as they take on high-flying Inter Miami but the Atlanta United head coach believes that his team have a plan to stop Messi:
“My players know what we’re gonna try. As always, at times it’s just trying to limit the danger that (Inter Miami) can cause. (Messi) is the best (player) at the moment and we just need to limit the factors and the connections he may have because he’s not the only player in the field.”
The teams are out!
Inter Miami and Atlanta United take to the field for this MLS Eastern Conference clash.
The two teams come into this game on very different runs of form. Miami are flying high at the top of the Supporters' Shield standings, Atlanta head coach Gonzalo Pineda is in desperate need of a win.
Battle of the Argentinian No. 10s
It's rare that two MLS teams go into a game led by World Cup-winning captains. But that's exactly what we have at DRV PNK Stadium tonight as Lionel Messi and Thiago Almada wear the captain's armband for their respective teams. Both were part of the Argentina side that lifted the 2022 World Cup.
Recap: Inter Miami - Atlanta United
When these two teams met in South Florida last summer the Herons ran out 4-0 winners, riding high on the incredible momentum brought by Lionel Messi. They were named in the same group for the 2023 Leagues Cup and Messi put on one of his most dominant performances scoring twice and assisted one goal for Robert Taylor.
The Argentine midfielder is back for the Herons.
Federico Redondo returns for Inter Miami
Inter Miami welcome back midfielder Federico Redondo for the first time in two months after recovering from a left lateral collateral ligament (LCL) injury. The 21-year-old impressed in his first showings in MLS and his returns comes as the Herons prepare to lose Lionel Messi to Copa America duties. His creativity could be key for Miami.
Atlanta arrive at DRV PNK Stadium
Inter Miami go into tonight's game as overwhelming favourites but they face a talented Atlanta United side that is currently underperforming it's potential. Gonzalo Pineda's side have dropped off dramatically after an impressive, swashbuckling 2023 showing but they retain the quality to cause anyone in MLS real troubles.
Can Inter Miami make history in MLS?
The Herons are currently top of the Eastern Conference and are enjoying a historic start to the MLS season. They and Supporters' Shield holders FC Cincinnati are leading the way in the 2024 MLS campaign, and they are setting a frightening pace.
For years, Thiago Almada has appeared to be on the verge of a move to Europe. The Atlanta United star, still only 23, was a member of the Argentina squad that lifted the 2022 World Cup and clinched the MLS Young Player of the Year Award last season.
He has admitted that a move to a Champions League club remains his aim. But earlier this year he insisted that winning with the MLS side is his current target.
And here's the Atlanta United lineup
There's still no Giorgos Giakoumakis for Atlanta United but Gonzalo Pineda can welcome back his creative talisman. The visitors name Argentine international Thiago Almada as captain this evening having recovered from a minor calf injury. Almada takes on his international teammate Lionel Messi.
Was Tata Martino right to drop Leo Campana?
Few can argue with the return of Luis Suarez as Inter Miami's starting striker, but spare a thought for Herons forward Leonardo Campana. The Ecuadorian has been forced to play second fiddle to Suarez this year but had impressed in his past two games. He scored this crucial late winner against DC United two weeks ago and followed that up with a goal in the 2-1 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps last weekend.
Few, if any, MLS teams have a striker as good as Campana warming the bench.
Inter Miami team news confirmed!
Here it is! Few surprises for the hosts as Messi, Suarez and Busquets rejoin Alba in the starting XI.
Robert Taylor keeps his place in the forward line. In-form Leo Campana loses his place in the team.
Miami awaits the Herons
Having played just one of their last four games on home turf the Inter Miami faithful will be eager to see the Herons back in town tonight. Anticipation is building at DRV PNK Stadium.
Team news to come shortly...
There will be plenty of players on show tonight with very real ambitions of making it into the MLS All-Star Team for this summer's clash against a Liga MX select XI. The MLS team will be led by Supporters' Shield winner Wilfried Nancy but fans will vote for 12 members of the 26-man roster.
Here's how to cast your vote...
Who is playing in MLS tonight?
Our eyes will be fixed squarely on developments from DRV PNK Stadium but, of course, there's plenty of other action going on this evening with 12 MLS fixtures. Chief among them; FC Cincinnati taking on Nashville, Philadelphia Union hosting Toronto, and Minnesota travelling to LAFC.
Lionel Messi's No. 10 back for Inter Miami
We're still waiting for confirmed team news from South Florida but it looks like Lionel Messi will be back in the team for the hosts. Inter Miami's pre-match social media output includes the famous No. 10 very predominantly.
So, unless we're about to see a incredibly elaborate bluff...
First up, Inter Miami team news. And it's good news for those hoping to see Inter Miami's ex-Barcelona quartet in action. After playing with only Jordi Alba last weekend, Tata Martino looks set to welcome back Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez for tonight's game.
The Inter Miami boss has some tough decisions to make with his starting XI...
Inter Miami will look to continue their table-topping start to the 2024 MLS campaign as they take on Atlanta United at DRV PNK Stadium. The Herons are expected to welcome back Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets, all of whom were rested for last weekend's trip to the Vancouver Whitecaps.
I'm Will Gittins and I'll be bringing you full live coverage of Inter Miami's latest MLS challenge. Away we go...