Dramatic late winner seals tight victory for Miami

Atlanta United 1 – 2 Inter Miami

ATLANTA, GA–Inter Miami maintained their winning run and unbeaten start to the season with an impressive win away against a good Atlanta side fresh with attacking talent.

It was a lively start, with both sides quickly finding their rhythm and looking for an early opening. As you would expect, Lionel Messi was Miami’s creative heartbeat, but Atlanta started stronger. And after ten minutes, they were rewarded for their endeavors with the opening goal.

Miguel Almiron played a searching ball to the feet of Brooks Lennon down the right, and the wide man played an early cross perfectly flighted for Emmanuel Latte Lath, who headed home past Rocco Rios Novo in goal. The keeper started to come off his line but hesitated and left Latte Lath with a simple task.

Questions will be asked about the Miami defending as they all left the striker unchallenged, as he connected with the cross from Lennon.

And they didn’t learn their lesson. Minutes later, Atlanta delivered almost a replica of the first goal. Fortunately for Miami, this time Latte Lath had wandered offside, and the goal was disallowed.

Soon after, it mattered not as Atlanta were about to gift the Herons the equalizer. Having foiled another quick attack, the Atlanta defense shot themselves in the foot, and Inter took full advantage.

As they attempted to play out from the back, Bartosz Silsz lost possession on the edge of his area to, of all people, Messi. The Miami captain then danced around a defender and delicately chipped over the stranded Brad Guzan to bring parity to the game.

Up until that point, Atalanta had been pulling the strings and dictating play, but the equalizer changed the game. From then on, Miami took control and played at their own pace.

Although Atlanta didn’t create many chances, you felt they were a constant threat. Players like Saba Lobjanidze and Alexey Miranchuk are always capable of creating something out of nothing in a split second, and Miami’s backline had to be on their toes throughout the game.

Guzan was in inspired form, and another big save denied Messi after the Argentine controlled, swiveled, and volleyed the ball in one movement, only to see the keeper save brilliantly again.

At that point, it was end-to-end stuff, and Atlanta came as close as they would to a second goal when Tristan Muyumba unleashed a fabulous long-range effort that smacked off the Miami crossbar.

Then it was Messi’s turn again as he found some space in the penalty area, but he couldn’t beat the inspired Gozan between the Atlanta sticks.

And just as it seemed like both sides would have to share the spoils and settle for a draw, Miami upset the home fans with what felt like a sucker punch.

A late corner was floated to the back post, and the returning Fafa Picault headed home for his first goal since signing in the off-season to secure the three points for his team.

There was time for some late drama as Atlanta tried to reply, but it was a desperate attempt that proved fruitless, and Miami will enjoy their smash-and-grab victory.