- Oct 16, 2026
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SportsMafia Wire graphic. Team logos and player headshots via ESPN.
Lionel Messi scored twice in a four-minute span to lead Inter Miami past Atlanta United 3-1 on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Federico Berterame opened the scoring for Miami at the stroke of halftime. Messi doubled the lead in the 56th minute with a solo run from the right, exchanging passes with Berterame before beating a defender and finishing low. Four minutes later, the Argentine took a pass from Luis Suárez on a breakaway, beat another defender, and placed a left-footed shot past Hoyos.
Fafà Picault, a former Miami forward, converted a late penalty for Atlanta's consolation goal.
Messi extended his MLS-leading tally to 25 goals, giving him a six-goal edge in the Golden Boot race. He also matched Son Heung-Min with 15 assists, making him the first MLS player to record 15 or more assists in three consecutive seasons. Messi has now contributed a goal or assist in 13 straight matches.
Miami, which clinched a playoff berth midweek, has won three consecutive matches under interim coach Cristian "Kily" González and sits second in the Eastern Conference behind Nashville. Atlanta remains 14th under coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino, who previously managed Messi at both Miami and with Argentina. Miami travels to face the New York Red Bulls next Saturday.
Source: ESPN - Sat Oct 17, 9:58 PM ET
Written by the SportsMafia Wire desk in our own words from the original reporting (AI-assisted, checked against the source).