Lionel Messi scored twice and added an assist, while Jordi Alba also found the net as Inter Miami cruised to a 4-0 win over Atlanta United on Saturday night. Messi was a threat from the start, skipping Argentina duty to feature for the Herons – and showing exactly why that decision paid off. Miami remain in the hunt for the second seed in the Eastern Conference.
Messi stung the palms of Jayden Hibbert twice within the first 20 minutes. Eventually, his deserved goal came, a wonderful curled effort into the top corner to give Miami a 1-0 lead.
Luis Suarez might have made it two on a pair of occasions before the break, first heading wide and later volleying over off a couple of searching balls from Messi. Alba provided the moment – with a little help from a long-time teammate. Messi raked a pass 50 yards. Alba ran onto it, and lifted over the keeper to give the Herons daylight.
The Uruguayan made it three an hour in, breaking a poor showing with a remarkable goal, volleying home from 20 yards. Messi added a fourth to cap off something remarkably routine, an easy win for a team that needed it.
GOAL rates Inter Miami's players from Chase Stadium.
Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowGettyGoalkeeper & Defense
Rocco Rios Novo (7/10):
Made a couple of tidy saves to keep Miami ahead in the first half. Nice to get a clean sheet under his belt.
Marcelo Weigandt (6/10):
Solid at the back, save for one or two silly fouls. Didn't have loads to do as Atlanta pretty much invited pressure.
Tomas Aviles (7/10):
Reliable in lieu of the suspended Maxi Falcon. Covered space well. Made a valuable intervention in the second half.
Gonzalo Lujan (7/10):
Won all of duels, moved the ball. Not exactly tested, but did well when he was.
Jordi Alba (8/10):
A classic Alba showing. Offered a lot going forward, connected with Messi, got his goal. Miami will miss him.
AdvertisementGettyMidfield
Yannick Bright (7/10):
Another wonderful midfield showing. Won the ball relentlessly, did plenty of dirty work. Removed after 56 minutes as he continues to build fitness.
Sergio Busquets (7/10):
Not his most involved game. Atlanta were frantic in attack and Messi did most of the on-ball stuff. Immensely reliable dropping deep and distributing, though.
Lionel Messi (9/10):
Dangerous from early on, forced some nice saves. Scored a typically silly goal. Assisted Alba. The best to ever do it.
GettyAttack
Baltasar Rodriguez (7/10):
Gave Messi a perfectly weighted pass to open the scoring. Dropped into central midfield and did well there. Impressive.
Luis Suarez (7/10):
A game of two halves. Missed a glorious chance to make it 2-0 shortly before the break. Missed another. Then redeemed himself by scoring an absolute worldie. Still got it.
Tadeo Allende (7/10):
Created a couple of good chances, put in some reliable defensive work. Solid without being remarkable.
GettySubs & Manager
Fafa Picault (7/10):
A lively shift off the bench.
Ryan Sailor (N/A):
No time to make an impact in just his third performance of the season.
Santiago Morales (N/A):
No time to make an impact
Javier Mascherano (7/10):
Had Messi available for selection, and got a wonderful showing out of him. Atlanta were poor, but this was a really comprehensive Miami performance. A promising tune-up with playoffs looming.
