Inter Miami Gets Win in Lionel Messi’s MLS Cup 2024 Playoff Opener, Tops Atlanta United 2–1

Mumbai, October 26: Lionel Messi had chances at goals time and time again, only to keep being denied. Turns out, all he needed to do was deliver the right pass at the right time. Jordi Alba turned a pass from Messi into the go-ahead goal in the 60th minute, Luis Suarez also scored and Inter Miami beat Atlanta United 2-1 on Friday night in the opening game of a best-of-three first round Major League Soccer playoff series. Where is Messi Bodycam? Disappointed Fans React After Messi Cam Project Fails to Deliver 'Expectations' During Inter Miami vs Atlanta United MLS Cup 2024 Playoffs.

It was not the easiest of openers for the Supporters Shield winners, the No. 1 overall seed in the MLS Cup playoffs — a team that set a league record with 74 points in the regular season, 34 points ahead of wild-card Atlanta in the standings.

Saba Lobjanidze scored for Atlanta, which got eight saves from goalkeeper Brad Guzan. Game 2 will be November 2 at Atlanta — the last road game of the season, no matter what, for Inter Miami. Game 3, if necessary, will be November 9 in Fort Lauderdale.

"It's going to be difficult for us. It's going to be difficult as this rival has been throughout the season." Inter Miami coach Gerardo 'Tata' Martino said.

Inter Miami's first-ever home playoff game and Messi's MLS playoff debut was sold out — Messi games almost always are, everywhere in the world — and MLS even had a camera isolated on him throughout the match, streaming that view on TikTok. There were plans to also show the match live on a massive screen in New York's Times Square; that ended up getting called off Apple will schedule a viewing of another match there. What is Messi Cam? How to Watch Lionel Messi Body Cam Live Streaming Online During Inter Miami vs Atlanta United 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs?.

Atlanta was the only team that beat Inter Miami when Messi was in the lineup this season, and it was almost like the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner — and finalist for MLS MVP honours — knew it wouldn't be easy.

"It gets settled on the field," Messi said in an interview taped before the playoffs, one that MLS teased on social media and said will be distributed on its Season Pass platform. "Anything can happen in a match."

And for 60 minutes, the scoreboard said these teams were even.

Suarez scored with the match barely a minute old, and Messi had three high-quality chances later in the half.

Messi's left foot nearly made it 2-0 after six minutes; Guzan had to sprawl to his right to barely deflect the shot away. Messi found a bit of space and fired again in the 26th minute; this time, Guzan punched it over the crossbar. And in the 29th minute, it wasn't Guzan that denied Messi — it was the post. The rebound came to Inter Miami's Marcelo Weigandt and his shot got punched away by Guzan. Lionel Messi's Inter Miami Salary Surpasses Payrolls of 22 MLS Teams as League Compensation Rises Nearly 10%.

If not for Guzan, it could have been 2-0, 3-0, maybe even 4-0 at that point.

Instead, it was 1-1 at intermission. Lobjanidze got behind the defense and beat Drake Callender from close range in the 39th minute, and Atlanta — which won at Chase Stadium in May — was all square going into the second half.

"We were frustrated," Martino said. In the 52nd minute, Messi's direct kick from 25 yards nearly gave Inter Miami the lead again but curled just wide of the post to Guzan's left. The breakthrough came about eight minutes later, with Messi getting lifted into the air by Alba in celebration after the goal.

"We've got to keep our heads up and we've got to go again. We've had our backs against the wall for quite some time now. And when our backs have been against the wall, we've found a way. Our backs are against the wall now. We've got to go into Game 2 and we've got to win."  Guzan said. Lionel Messi Unveils Captain Messi Superhero Toy Alongside New Hard Rock Kids Menu, Says 'Hope You Will Enjoy This' (See Instagram Post).

The night took a bad turn for Inter Miami late. Ian Fray, a South Florida native who has already dealt with three ACL tears, left in the 90th minute after a non-contact injury left him unable to put any weight on his right leg. There was no immediate word on the severity of Fray's injury.

"It was a very good game ... but we're not feeling as satisfied as we could because of Ian. We are all a little bit sad. We'll wait to see what injury he has." Martino said.

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