Messi leads Inter Miami past Atlanta United 3-1

Lionel Messi scored in the 56th and 60th minutes at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday night, and Inter Miami CF beat Atlanta United FC 3-1. Germán Berterame had put the visitors in front at 45', and Fafà Picault's penalty at 89' gave Atlanta United its only goal. Inter Miami stayed second in the Eastern Conference with 55 points, while Atlanta United sits 14th with 30 after a result that, according to Yahoo Sports, damaged its playoff hopes.

How did Messi take over the second half?

Inter Miami reached the break in front thanks to Germán Berterame, who scored with a header at 45' with Luis Suárez listed on the play. The second half belonged to Lionel Messi. He scored at 56' with Berterame involved, then added another at 60' with Suárez credited.

Messi led Inter Miami with 5 total shots. According to Yahoo Sports, Messi leads the MLS Golden Boot race with 25 goals, 6 ahead, and his second-half performance sealed the win.

How did Atlanta United respond?

Atlanta United pulled one back at 89' when Fafà Picault scored a penalty. By then Inter Miami already held the lead from Messi at 56' and 60'. Atlanta United took 20 shots with only 3 on target, while Inter Miami took 7 shots with 5 on goal.

Atlanta United held 44.6 percent possession and had 383 accurate passes, while Inter Miami had 55.4 percent and 504 accurate passes. Lucas Hoyos made 2 saves for Atlanta United, and Dayne St. Clair made 2 for Inter Miami.

Who got booked and how did the teams line up?

Atlanta United and Inter Miami both started in a 4-3-3. Atlanta United sent out Lucas Hoyos, Júnior Alonso, Paulo Díaz and Breel Embolo among others, with Miguel Almirón and Alexey Miranchuk also starting. Inter Miami started Dayne St. Clair, Casemiro, Rodrigo De Paul, Luis Suárez, Germán Berterame and Messi.

Atlanta United collected 3 yellow cards: Tomás Jacob at 44', Mauricio Amaro at 54' and Breel Embolo at 71'. Inter Miami had 2 yellow cards, Maximiliano Falcón at 89' and Lionel Messi at 90'+6'. Atlanta United committed 8 fouls and Inter Miami 11.

What comes next for Inter Miami and Atlanta United?

Before this match, Inter Miami's most recent results were a 4-0 win against D.C. United and a 2-0 win against New York City FC. Atlanta United lost 3-1 to FC Cincinnati and then beat CF Montréal 3-0 on the way into Saturday's game.

Atlanta United hosts Chicago Fire FC on October 24, and Inter Miami visits Red Bull New York the same day. Yahoo Sports said Atlanta United's 14th place hinders its playoff chances, while the Inter Miami coach praised Messi's performance.

The numbers at Scorely

Stat	Atlanta United FC	Inter Miami CF
Possession	44.6 %	55.4 %
Shots	20	7
Shots on target	3	5
Shot accuracy	20 %	70 %
Accurate passes	383	504
Pass accuracy	90 %	90 %
Corners	5	2
Fouls	8	11
Yellow cards	3	2

Team	Last 5
Atlanta United FC	D 0-0 vs. D.C. United, W 1-0 vs. Portland Timbers, D 2-2 vs. New York City FC, L 3-1 vs. FC Cincinnati, W 3-0 vs. CF Montréal
Inter Miami CF	W 2-0 vs. Cruz Azul, D 2-2 vs. San Diego FC, L 2-1 vs. Columbus Crew, W 4-0 vs. D.C. United, W 2-0 vs. New York City FC

Pos	Team	P	GD	Pts
1	Nashville SC	30	+41	67
2	Inter Miami CF	30	+22	55
3	New England Revolution	30	+8	52
4	Chicago Fire FC	30	+8	48
14	Atlanta United FC	30	-14	30
1	Vancouver Whitecaps	30	+32	55
2	St. Louis CITY SC	30	+15	51
3	FC Dallas	30	+8	51