Lionel Messi delivered the decisive burst as Inter Miami CF defeated Atlanta United FC 3-1 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday, October 17, with two goals in four minutes taking the visitors clear in this MLS Eastern Conference fixture.

Germán Berterame’s 45th-minute header gave Miami a narrow halftime advantage before Messi struck in the 56th and 60th minutes. Fafà Picault converted an 89th-minute penalty for Atlanta, but the late consolation could not undo the visitors’ clinical work.

Berterame breaks the deadlock before halftime

The breakthrough arrived just before the interval, when Berterame headed Miami in front in the 45th minute. It was a timely blow for the visitors, sending them into the dressing room with a 1-0 lead and leaving Atlanta needing a response after the restart.

The hosts ultimately produced far more attempts, but their difficulty turning that volume into accurate finishing would define the evening. Atlanta registered 20 shots across the match, with only three on target.

Messi puts Miami out of reach

Atlanta’s task became significantly harder early in the second half. Messi doubled Miami’s advantage in the 56th minute, then added his second in the 60th to make it 3-0 and leave the hosts facing a three-goal deficit with half an hour of regulation time remaining.

That four-minute double was the decisive passage of the contest. Miami finished with just seven attempts, yet put five on target and converted three into goals. Combined with 55.4 percent possession, that cutting edge gave the visitors a reward Atlanta’s greater shot volume could not match.

Atlanta also won the corner count 5-2, but neither that advantage nor their willingness to shoot translated into a route back into contention.

Picault’s penalty offers late consolation

Picault finally put Atlanta on the board from the penalty spot in the 89th minute, reducing the deficit to 3-1. It denied Miami a clean sheet, although it arrived too late to change the direction of the result.

The contrast in finishing told the story: Atlanta generated attempts, while Miami made theirs count. Berterame’s breakthrough and Messi’s rapid double ensured the visitors left Mercedes-Benz Stadium with all three points.

What comes next

Both clubs return to MLS action on Saturday, October 24. Atlanta face Chicago Fire FC at 4:30 p.m. PDT, while Inter Miami take on Red Bull New York at 2:30 p.m. PDT.