FORT LAUDERDALE — Lionel Messi’s quest for a first MLS Cup trophy got off to a winning start under the lights at Chase Stadium, as top-seeded Inter Miami defeated Atlanta United 2–1 in Game 1 of their Best-of-3 Round One playoff series thanks to goals from Luis Suárez and Jordi Alba.
Having shattered the MLS single-season points record (74 points) to lift the Supporters’ Shield, Gerardo "Tata" Martino’s side wasted no time asserting their dominance. Just 92 seconds into the match, Diego Gómez pounced on a loose ball inside the box and nudged it to Luis Suárez, who rifled aclinical low finish past goalkeeper Brad Guzan.
Although Saba Lobjanidze equalized for the visitors in the 39th minute and 40-year-old Guzan produced nine remarkable saves to frustrate Messi from free-kicks and close-range volleys, the former Barcelona icons unlocked the decisive moment on the hour mark.
Collecting a short corner routine at the top of the penalty arc, Messi drew two defenders before rolling a weighted pass into the path of Jordi Alba. From 25 yards out, the Spanish left-back unleashed a blistering first-time left-footed strike that arrowed into the top corner for a 2–1 lead.
"Brad Guzan had an extraordinary night in goal, otherwise the scoreline could have been much wider," Tata Martino noted afterward. "In playoff football, taking a 1–0 series lead at home is fundamental, and the telepathy between Leo, Jordi, and Luis once again made the difference."
Inter Miami can now clinch advancement to the Eastern Conference Semifinals with a victory in Game 2 next weekend.