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Lionel Messi assisted on Jordi Alba’s game-winning goal en route to Inter Miami’s 2-1 victory over Atlanta United on Friday in the first game of the best-of-three first round.
Major League Soccer @MLS
JORDI ALBA FOR THE LEAD ๐ฅ<a href=”https://twitter.com/InterMiamiCF?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@InterMiamiCF</a> // Audi <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/MLSCupPlayoffs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#MLSCupPlayoffs</a> <a href=”https://t.co/1TexkMpTM3″>pic.twitter.com/1TexkMpTM3</a>
Inter Miami outshot Atlanta United 22-8 (12-2 shots on goal). They also possessed the ball 65.7 percent of the match and had 12 corner kicks to Atlanta United’s four.
But the match was tied at one entering halftime.
Luis Suรกrez got Inter Miami on the scoreboard first in the second minute.
Major League Soccer @MLS
LUIS! SUAREZ!<br><br>Less than 90 seconds into the match. Wow.<a href=”https://twitter.com/InterMiamiCF?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@InterMiamiCF</a> // Audi <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/MLSCupPlayoffs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#MLSCupPlayoffs</a> <a href=”https://t.co/2o7TUzPHBs”>pic.twitter.com/2o7TUzPHBs</a>
Messi nearly put his team up 2-0 in the 29th minute but hit the post. The ball bounced to Marcelo Weigandt, who fired another shot. However, Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan was there for the tremendous save.
Ten minutes later, Saba Lobjanidze put Atlanta on the board after a through ball from Pedro Amador.
Major League Soccer @MLS
You know what time it is. โ<br><br>Saba Lobjanidze equalizes for <a href=”https://twitter.com/ATLUTD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@ATLUTD</a> in the Audi <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/MLSCupPlayoffs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#MLSCupPlayoffs</a>. <a href=”https://t.co/vh8jwdxfLj”>pic.twitter.com/vh8jwdxfLj</a>
A spirit Atlanta United effort would fall short, though, with the Alba goal proving to be the difference.
Messi didn’t score a goal, but he still fared well all things considered.
Fans were impressed with Messi and Inter Miami’s performance.
Sholy Nation Sports @Sholynationsp
๐ฆ๐ท Lionel Messi ๐ Atlanta:<br><br>๐ฏ 1 assist <br>๐ณ 5 chances created (most)<br>๐ 91 touches <br>๐จ 3 successful dribbles (most)<br>๐๐ฝ 9 passes into final third <br>โ๏ธ 3 tackles won (most)<br>๐ช๐ฝ 4 recoveries <br>๐ฆพ 8 duels won (most)<br>โญ 8.9 match rating (most)<br><br>Top Level. ๐ <a href=”https://t.co/caDW8bjjob”>pic.twitter.com/caDW8bjjob</a>
Steven Silver @StatessideFooty
Inter Miami should’ve scored 4 goals tonight, but credit Atlanta. They did their best, making sure Messi didn’t beat them. But Miami has multiple ways to beat you, and tonight, Jordi Alba delivered the dagger. Atlanta showed zero sense of urgency in the 2nd half <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/MLS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#MLS</a>
Xavier Guerrero @XGLAVOZ
Historic first playoff win for <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/InterMiamiCF?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#InterMiamiCF</a> led by Luis Suarez & Jordi AlbaโฆA tough Atlanta United squad led by Brad Guzan’s magnificent performance made Miami grind until the endโฆ<a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/MLS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#MLS</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/MLSCupPlayoffs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#MLSCupPlayoffs</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/MLSCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#MLSCup</a> <a href=”https://t.co/gTt91fjeEI”>https://t.co/gTt91fjeEI</a>
Atlanta United will now host Inter Miami for Game 2 on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. ET. An Inter Miami win sends the team into the Eastern Conference semifinals against the winner of the Orlando City SC vs. Charlotte FC series. A loss brings the series back to Miami for the third-and-final match on Saturday, Nov. 9.