Messi embarrasses Atlanta United defense with outrageous goal in Inter Miami win | OneFootball

Lionel Messi did what he does best: decide games. In Inter Miami’s 2-1 victory over Atlanta United in the fourth round of the MLS, the Argentine superstar delivered a stunning goal that instantly became one of the season’s most iconic moments. A touch of class, a move only he could pull off.

He was well worth the Man of the Match award, reasserting his influence on an Inter Miami side that now leads the Eastern Conference with 10 points after four games. But this game wasn't just about Messi. It was a pulse-pounding affair from start to finish, filled with a crazy conclusion, a super-sub coming good, and an Inter Miami side that's looking more and more like a title challenger.

Messi, the superstar who comes through when it matters most

Just 20 minutes in, Messi decided it was time to take matters into his own hands. And what a goal this was. Like a predator in the night, he pounced on a misplaced Atlanta pass, stole the ball off Bartosz Slisz, and ran at the defense. Along the way, he sent Derrick Williams crashing with a ruthless dribble before chipping Brad Guzan, who could only stand and marvel as the ball sailed over him. A precision strike, a flash of pure brilliance.

No. 10's objective came in his second MLS game of 2025, days after recording two assists in a 2-2 comeback draw against New York City FC. And for anyone who still questioned his fitness, he had the perfect response, Messi is still lethal. In the Concacaf Champions Cup, he's already tallied three goals, helping to propel Miami to the quarterfinals.

The truth is, it doesn't matter where or against whom, Messi always shines. Last year, he took home the Landon Donovan MLS MVP with eye-popping numbers: 20 goals, 16 assists in just 19 games. Now, in 2025, he appears ready to write another chapter in his legendary career.

Atlanta United strikes first but can't hold on

The match did not start well for Inter Miami. Just 11 minutes into the match, Emmanuel Latte Lath put Atlanta United ahead with a powerful header. The visitors needed to respond swiftly because of the early goal, and that's when Messi took over.

His equalizer tied things up for the match, but it was as if Miami needed more to take the three points. The second half was action-packed at both goals, with Atlanta United pressing forward and getting goalkeeper Ríos Novo into a sequence of clutch stops. In back-to-back moments, he turned away a dangerous shot by Saba Lobjanidze before making a quick move to deflect a long-range rocket from Tristan Muyumba wide.

With Atlanta searching for the lead again, Javier Mascherano made a strategic substitution, switching his team around in search of a winner late in the day. Two vital substitutions were made by him in the 83rd minute: Fafa Picault was introduced for Allende, and Federico Redondo came in for Bright.

Picault is introduced from the bench to take centre stage

The substitution worked out perfectly. Just six minutes after entering the field, Picault demonstrated why he was substituted in. Following a corner kick, Jordi Alba delivered a cross from the left flank, where the Haitian forward was left completely alone in the box. Picault did not hesitate, jumping higher than the defenders and heading the ball into the net.

It was the game-winner, his first goal for Inter Miami, and one of those moments fans won’t forget anytime soon. The eruption inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium wasn’t just about the comeback but about what this goal could mean for Miami’s season.