The match at Inter Miami’s home ground was delayed 90 minutes by thunderstorms and lightning, but the wait did little to dampen a lively contest between two Eastern Conference sides chasing points late in the season.
Casemiro and Suarez Benefit from Messi Service
Miami grabbed the lead in the 32nd minute when Brazilian midfielder Casemiro rose to head home a Messi corner kick. The set-piece delivery was typically precise, dropping into a dangerous area where Casemiro could attack it unmarked.
Atlanta responded just three minutes later. Former Newcastle United forward Miguel Almiron blasted a low shot past the Miami keeper to level the score at 1-1, quieting a crowd still celebrating the opener.
Former Liverpool and Barcelona striker Luis Suarez restored Miami’s advantage on the cusp of halftime, finishing coolly after a move down the left flank that Messi had started. The Argentine’s vision to switch the point of attack created the space Suarez needed inside the box.
Swiss striker Breel Embolo rescued a point for Atlanta in the 87th minute, converting from the penalty spot to secure a share of the spoils and deny Miami what had looked like a winning return for their talisman.
Messi’s First Match Since International Retirement
Saturday marked Messi’s first competitive minutes since he announced his retirement from Argentina duty. The 39-year-old is Argentina’s all-time leading goalscorer and most-capped player, and his decision to step away from the international stage closed one of the most decorated careers in football history.
For Inter Miami, the draw keeps them in the mix near the top of the Eastern Conference standings, though the late concession will sting a side that twice led and failed to hold on. Atlanta, meanwhile, will take encouragement from coming back twice on the road against the reigning MLS champions.
MLS Roundup: Records, Thrillers, and Late Drama
The night produced no shortage of drama elsewhere in MLS. In Toronto, Derrick Etienne scored two minutes into second-half stoppage time to force a 4-4 draw with Chicago in a wild eight-goal thriller.
Josh Sargent scored a hat-trick for Toronto, but Chicago’s Maren Haile-Selassie netted twice before an own goal and a 63rd-minute strike from Robert Lewandowski put the visitors 4-3 up. Etienne’s late intervention salvaged a point in one of the season’s most entertaining matches.
Philadelphia beat Montreal 2-0, with 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan scoring in the 75th minute. The goal gave Sullivan four goals and seven assists this season, the most scoring contributions by a 16-year-old in a single MLS campaign, eclipsing the mark of 10 set by Freddy Adu in 2005.
In Orlando, Antoine Griezmann’s 28th-minute goal gave the hosts a 1-0 victory over San Diego. And in Texas, Guilherme Biro scored in the seventh minute of second-half stoppage time to earn Austin a 1-1 draw with San Jose.
What Happens Next
Inter Miami will look to tighten a defense that conceded twice at home when they return to MLS action next weekend, with manager Tata Martino likely to address the late-game lapses that cost his side two points. Messi’s fitness and minutes will be closely watched as the playoff picture takes shape.
Atlanta United head home with momentum from Embolo’s late equalizer and a result that keeps them within touching distance of the playoff line. Toronto’s draw with Chicago, Sullivan’s record night in Philadelphia, and Griezmann’s winner in Orlando all add intrigue to a tight Eastern Conference race where every point matters down the stretch.
— James Okafor, sports desk, AXO News